Heathcote Says Fillydelphia "Vulnerable"
- Friday, 04 November 2011 02:16
Trainer Rob Heathcote is keen for Fillydelphia to add to her black-type record over the summer but fears she may be vulnerable at Doomben on Saturday.
Fillydelphia scored a decisive victory in the Group Three Rough Habit Plate at Doomben in May and will be out to further boost her stud value after the `Perfect Italiano' Open Handicap (1350m).
Stablemate Humma will make his comeback after a six-month break in the same race.
Heathcote has pencilled in three Listed races in the next two months for Fillydelphia who was a beaten favourite when runner-up to Poor Judge over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm on October 22.
Heathcote had the option of sending Fillydelphia to Melbourne for fillies and mares races but felt the better plan was to stay at home with the daughter of Bianconi.
"I could have taken her to Melbourne with my other horses but I felt she'd be better suited staying here in the races I've got planned for her," he said.
Fillydelphia will have her next start in the Listed Brisbane Handicap (1600m) at Eagle Farm on November 19 then the Listed Recognition Stakes (1600m) on the same track two weeks later followed by the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1615m) at Doomben on December 31.
"She has to run in this race on Saturday to be ready for those races but I just have a feeling she may be a little vulnerable over 1350 metres," Heathcote said.
"She's going very well but she's more effective over 1600 metres.
"Although she was beaten by Poor Judge last start I thought her run was full of merit.
"Poor Judge is no slouch and he did win in Melbourne this time last year."
Fillydelphia is likely to be rested after her summer campaign to prepare for another Brisbane winter assault.
"I doubt she'll go to Sydney next year and she'll stay here for the winter races," Heathcote said.
"She's only a four-year-old so she has plenty of racing in her before she eventually goes to stud.
"There'll be plenty of races for her next winter and ultimately I hope we can look at the (Group One) Winter Stakes with her."
Heathcote, who is confident stablemate Racing Heart can win Saturday's Coca-Cola Amatil Open Handicap (2100m), will be at Flemington to saddle up Woorim and Buffering.
Woorim will run in The Emirates Stakes (1600m) while Buffering takes on Black Caviar down the straight six in the Group One Patinack Farm Classic.
