Heathcote Back in The Spirit

There are few sports that can provide 24-hour highs and lows like the thoroughbred industry can. Having been to the penthouse with evergreen dual-hemisphere Group 1-winning sprinter Buffering (Mossman), Brisbane trainer Rob Heathcote found himself basking in the glory of rags to riches 2YO Rothfire (Rothesay). But the game that gives also takes away; subsequently sent south to Sydney for the Gr1 Golden Rose where many rated him a moral, Heathcote's Gr1 JJ Atkins hero broken down, leaving his connections with a hundred what-ifs. Fast forward eight months, the racing gods appear to have given to Heathcote again. In the space of just 6 days, debutant Prince of Boom (Spirit of Boom-Dazzling Display, by Red Dazzler) went from a total unknown debutant at the Sunshine Coast – he won by nearly 5-lengths – to toying with his rivals in Saturday's appropriately-named Gr2 Spirit of Boom Classic where he sauntered home by 2.5-lengths. According to punters.com.au, Heathcote conceded the pain of Rothfire's breakdown is still there after his toughest day in racing. "But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," he said. "And this certainly helps." The 'this' – Prince of Boom – now finds himself one of the fancies for both the Gr2 BRC Sires Produce and the Gr1 JJ Atkins. At just $20,000, Prince of Boom cost double the $10,000 of Rothfire; not that connections would be complaining.