Leading trainer Robert Heathcote wrapped up a winning feature race double at Eagle Farm today when three year old Trump took out the Group 3 $125,000 MacArthur Museum Brisbane Gunsynd Classic (1600m).
Trump ($3.30) handled the heavy conditions well to slice through the field and hit the lead at the 250m mark to collar longshot Goldslick ($31) to score by a long neck with the Peter Moody trained Brambles ($3.20 fav) battling away in third spot.
Trump, like stable mate Buffering who took out the $100,000 1200m WFA Coca-Cola Amatil earlier in the day, is being aimed by Heathcote towards some major targets over the Winter Carnival.
Damian Browne had Trump buried away midfield in the run while stable mate Vacallo with Glen Colless aboard speared straight to the lead to set a good tempo with Voodoo Black Magic applying pressure to the leader from the 800m.
Josh Parr made his move on Brambles on the home turn and when eased to the middle of the track momentarily looked the winner but was quickly overhauled by Trump to his inside.
Browne was able to keep the Written Tycoon three year old balanced on the heavy surface and eased away for a decisive win.
Heathcote is in two minds in what direction to head with Trump, even though he has nominated him for the Group 1 $500,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 9, he is of the belief that 1600m is his pet distance.
“I took him down for the Norman Robinson last year and he didn’t see out the 2000 metres but he’s more mature now,” Heathcote said.
“I thought he was very unlucky behind Morning Captain last run. He copped some interference at the 800 metres which cost him his position right behind Morning Captain.”
“He was only beaten a neck and came home very strongly.”
“He’s come back a lot stronger this campaign and his first run back with 59 kilos when he came from last to finish sixth at Eagle Farm last month was very good on a leader-biased track.”
“I think you’ll see him run a very strong race over 1600 metres which I think is his best distance.”
Trump was having his third run back from a spell and chalked up his fourth win from thirteen starts with almost $200,000 in prizemoney in the bank.
Heathcote is having another good year and as well as training his first Group 1 winner with Woorim taking out the $400,000 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 25, is leading the Brisbane trainer’s premiership with fifty-one and a half wins.
