Written by Paul Vettise
Two of last season’s leading juveniles are set to go head-to-head when they open their spring 3-year-old campaigns in Sydney next month.
Group 1 winners King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice) and Rothfire (Rothesay) are to clash in the G2 Run To The Rose on September 12 with a re-match in the G1 Golden Rose S. a fortnight later.
The high-class pair took their first steps toward resuming with trial appearances on Tuesday with King’s Legacy enjoying an easy time on the polytrack at Randwick, while his Queensland counterpart was untouched to win at Doomben.
Rob Heathcote’s stable star Rothfire was quickly into stride in his 840 metre heat to lead and regular rider Jim Byrne sat quietly on the G1 JJ Atkins winner, who strolled home with a 2.5l margin at the post.
“His work leading into it had been super and we expected that and he delivered. Jim said he’s bang on target,” Heathcote told Racing.com.
“His work leading into it had been super and we expected that and he delivered. Jim said he’s bang on target.” – Rob Heathcote
“He’ll come back here (to trial) in two weeks’ time and we’ll do it all again and then two weeks into the Run To The Rose and then the Golden Rose.”
He has high hopes that Rothfire’s Sydney form will have slot holders for the $15 million The Everest come knocking on their door.
Bred by the Gleeson family, Rothfire has won six of his seven starts and banked nearly $760,000 with an extra $133,500 in bonuses.
That represents an extraordinary return on the $10,000 paid sight unseen for him, although the price did double after Heathcote got caught in a phishing scheme, not that he’s worrying about that now.
Watch: Rothfire trial at Doomben
Colt given easy time
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained King’s Legacy was kept under a strong hold throughout his 1080 metre heat by James McDonald with the dual Group 1 winner finishing fourth.
He will also be given another trial before meeting Rothfire in the Run To The Rose and the G1 Golden Rose S. a fortnight later.
The colt hasn’t raced since completing a Group 1 double in the Champagne S. and the ATC Sires’ Produce S. In his first preparation he was also successful in the G3 BJ McLachlan S.
He is a son of the stakes performer Breakfast In Bed (Hussonet {USA}) and a half-sister to the G1 Flight S. winner Oohood (I Am Invincible) and their dam is a half-sister to influential sire Not A Single Doubt.
Watch: King's Legacy trial at Randwick
King’s Legacy was bred and sold by Segenhoe Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was signed for at $1.4 million by James Harron.
Maidens to watch
Among the unraced triallists on show at Randwick, the well-related Legend I Am (I Am Invincible) was a smart winner for trainer Les Bridge with a comfortable front-running victory in the hands of Kerrin McEvoy over 1080 metres.
The colt is a brother to the dual Group 1-winning stallion Brazen Beau with the pair bred by Bernie Howlett and Legend I Am was purchased by Carmel Size on behalf of Bon Ho at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $460,000.
He was bought out of Yarraman Park Stud’s draft and is a son of Sansadee (Snadee {USA}), who won three races and finished third in the G3 Black Opal S. She is currently in foal to Denman.
Mark Newnham’s Zanzidance (Deep Field), ridden by Rachel King, also looked a 3-year-old to follow when she romped home in her 1080 metre heat.
Watch: Zanzidance trial at Randwick
The filly was runner-up on debut last season and put aside after she ran sixth behind the undefeated colt Peltzer (So You Think {NZ}) at Kembla Grange in April.
Zanzidance was bought for $320,000 by James Bester and Eric Lucas at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where she was put forward by Bhima Thoroughbreds. She is a half-sister to the Group performer Rome (Pierro) from the family of G1 Robert Sangster S. winner Spright (Hinchinbrook).
