Trainer Robert Heathcote is confident that Fire Up Fifi will produce an improved effort in the 2014 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow, but believes the consistent mare needs a genuine tempo to be a winning chance in the Group 1 event.
Fire Up Fifi is currently rated an outsider in Coolmore Classic betting markets, but has previously recorded a win over current favourite Catkins in the Group 2 Blazer Stakes (1410m) at Flemington during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival.
Heathcote told Sky Racing HQ this morning that the Blazer Stakes was run to suit Fire Up Fifi and he is hopeful that the Coolmore Classic will have the same genuine tempo this weekend.
“That is when the all the cards fell into place and the stars lined up,” Heathcote said about Fire Up Fifi’s Blazer Stakes win.
“We had an incredibly strong tempo in that race and that is what best suits Fire Up Fifi; a genuine tempo.
“She can get back worse than midfield and come with a late strong run.
“She does have a win over 1800 metres, so she will be strong to the line over 1500 metres, but it is essential that we do get that genuine tempo.”
Fire Up Fifi started her autumn preparation with a sixth place finish in the Listed Falvelon Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm on February 22 and loomed as if she was going to challenge before finishing fifth in the Group 3 Wiggle Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on March 8.
Heathcote said that Fire Up Fifi has taken plenty of benefit out of her race starts this campaign, but admits that she will need to improve significantly to record her maiden win at Group 1 level in the Coolmore Classic.
“We are happy with her trackwork and she looks well,” Heathcote said.
“She needs to improve on her last run to turn the tables on Catkins and certainly it is not a one horse race.
“She was second-up and it was her first time around Warwick Farm, so we are happy to put it down to that.
“We are going into the race with a degree of confidence that she will race up to her best.”
Heathcote has scored five wins at Group 1 level in Victoria and took out the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) with Buffering in Perth, but is yet to record a win at the highest level of racing in either Queensland or New South Wales.