Funtantes Not Certain For Melbourne
- Friday, 23 September 2011 05:45
Trainer Rob Heathcote is rethinking plans to send Funtantes to Melbourne as his emotional roller-coaster ride continues.
Heathcote has been enjoying a great run and will be in Melbourne on Saturday hoping to land his first Group One win with Woorim in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield.
In Brisbane, Heathcote has a team of seven runners engaged at Doomben including Funtantes who will line up in The Pink Ribbon Race For Research Hcp (1350m).
Heathcote is hoping history will be repeated after landing a two-state double when Woorim won a 1200-metre Open Handicap at Moonee Valley on September 10, the same day Funtantes was successful at Doomben.
While Heathcote has experienced the highs of racing lately the premier trainer is also embroiled in a running and handling inquiry.
Stewards questioned Heathcote and jockey Larry Cassidy after short-priced favourite Trump was beaten into third place at Doomben last Saturday.
The inquiry is set to resume on Monday afternoon.
"I haven't lost any sleep over the inquiry," Heathcote said.
"The stewards have a job to do and it's only proper they inquire into any race when an odds-on chance is beaten."
Connections of Funtantes are keen to chase black-type in Melbourne with the five-year-old mare but Heathcote is not convinced.
"Funtantes is getting into a zone where it hurts and weight stops trains," Heathcote said.
"She's got 59 kilos tomorrow and she's not a very big horse.
"It's not 100 per cent certain she's going to Melbourne but I'm leaning to her going. There's still some decent races for her here as well."
Heathcote is confident both Woorim and Funtantes can win again.
"I'm getting a little excited as I think Woorim can win the Sir Rupert Clarke," he said,"
"Funtantes is the class runner in her race and her main danger looks to be Risk Aversion."
Stablemate Our Lukas is also on trial for a Melbourne trip in the DLA Partners Hcp (1350m)
The eight-year-old is having his first start since finishing third to Victorian Gold In Dubai in the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) on June 18.
"I doubt he can win first-up with his big weight (63.5kg) but I'm expecting him to run well," Heathcote said.
"If he does run well he'll go down to defend the (Listed) Seymour Cup he won last year.
"He won't be running in any of the bigger races when he goes away and I'll just keep him to middle distances."
