King Of The Mountain betting duel between Rothfire and All That Pizazz
Monday’s King Of The Mountain $750,000 slot race looks a two-horse match race between Rothfire and All That Pizzazz (pictured). Picture: Kevin Farmer
Punters will wake up from a New Year's Eve hangover with an intriguing decision to make in a $750,000 slot race on the first day of 2024.
Group 1 champion Rothfire is the one to beat in the second running of the $750,000 King Of The Mountain in Toowoomba, with Rob Heathcote's sprint warrior rated the $1.70 favourite.
Rothfire, who was terrific first-up when finishing second in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes when conceding 5kg to winner Zoustyle, has 13 ratings points in hand over his closest rival in Monday's slot race.
That closest rival is Tony Gollan-trained sprinter All That Pizzazz who has had a terrific 2023 including giving one-time Toowoomba boy Gollan his first Weetwood Handicap.
The two have singled out in betting with Rothfire the $1.70 favourite on TAB, followed by All That Pizzazz at $3.50 in a race which looks to have a long tail.
No other runner is under double figures in betting with Legal Espirit ($12) and Steady Ready ($13) considered the next best hopes in the race for Queensland bred and trained sprinters.
A potential complicating factor for Rothfire is drawing barrier 16.
But punters haven't been turned off.
Rothfire is the top pick in the $750,000 King Of The Mountain on Monday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
"The prices suggest it is a race in two, but the barrier draw did initially quell some of the interest in Rothfire," TAB's Gerard Daffy said.
"He was $1.80 before the draw with All That Pizzazz at $3.40.
"After drawing out in the car park we eased Rothfire out to $1.85 and firmed All That Pizzazz into $3.20 thinking punters might steer clear of Rothfire.
"But punters didn't care – they love Rothfire despite the barrier draw and he's now into $1.70.
"It probably makes sense as he is one of the best known sprinters in Australia."
Rothfire is chasing a berth on the rich Gold Coast Magic Millions day next month, as a win in the King Of The Mountain would give the much-loved Queensland sprinter a wildcard into a $1m sprint race on the Magic Millions card.
The King Of The Mountain also creates interest on the jockey front with Ben Thompson (Rothfire) now trying to take down All That Pizzazz after winning the Weetwood on Gollan's sprinter in September.
Jimmy Orman will ride All That Pizzazz and will be looking for redemption of sorts in Toowoomba after finishing runner-up in the Weetwood when he rode hot favourite Yellow Brick.
