#Rob Heathcote

Well hopefully you enjoyed the Christmas cheer with family and friends, and imbibed responsibly of course. Now it is on to a new year and all those fatuous resolutions will be thought about. Punters - as you are - might even suggest it worth keeping a record of your investments (well at least for the first week or so of January) so as to know your…

Friday night racing returns to the Sunshine Coast for a solid seven race card. BEST BET: TRANQUIL BAY (Race 5 No 9) NEXT BEST: LOOSE UNIT (Race 4 No 5) VALUE BET: CADERAS (Race 2 No 3) Quaddie numbers are: Race 4 - 4,5,7 Race 5 - 2,6,9,10 Race 6 - 4,7,9,10 Race 7 - 3,4 96…

Extremist (pink and black checks) will aim to raise the bar again in The Gateway on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography Rob Heathcote knew Extremist had some ability in her early days. But he never would have believed she would be stakes-placed and shooting for a spot in the rich Stradbroke Handicap, a race that the 12-time Group…

The big corporate bookies have been huffing and puffing about Queensland's Point Of Consumption tax hike, but there is a fascinating spin-off which could change the face of racecourses in the Sunshine State. As part of the increased tax, the on-course exclusivity of Tabcorp is being released. It means the corporate bookies are free to negotiate…

It wasn't that long ago racing in Queensland was viewed by many as a basket case but now it has become a bonanza. A $3 million Stradbroke Handicap, a beefed-up Gold Coast Magic Millions day featuring lucrative new races and a pair of fresh slot races. And increases in prizemoney across the board. Horses can't race all year and Victoria and NSW will…

With most of Wednesday's races having multiple chances I am keen to find a bit of value and won't be afraid to back more than one in a race at the Gold Coast. BEST BET: DYNAMIC DUO (Race 8 No 6) NEXT BEST: PRINCESS LUNAR (Race 2 No 7) VALUE BET: SEA COMMITS (Race 5 No 11) Quaddie numbers are: Race 5 - 4,8,11 Race 6 - 1,4,5 Race 7 - 1,2,5 Race 8 -…

Prince Of Boom winning the QTIS Jewel 3YO for trainer Rob Heathcote and jockey James Orman. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography Rob Heathcote says Prince Of Boom and Startantes are like apples and oranges - impossible to compare - but feels bookmakers have got it right in their assessment of his star three-year-olds in Saturday's Mick…

The Summer Carnival is upon us with the Listed Keith Noud the feature and whilst Doomben plays to front runners, on a good surface with the rail true all horses should get their chance. Mares in form have been good to me of late and I have gone overboard here. BEST BET: SALATEEN (Race 8 No 8) NEXT BEST: EKATERINA (Race 6 No 4) VALUE BET: STRATEGIC…

Alligator Blood (green) is one of the favourites for the Stradbroke Handicap. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography Racing writers Ben Dorries and Trenton Akers are still kicking after a massive Queensland winter carnival and are planning to peak on Stradbroke Day. With a huge local contingent in the mix, our experts will be cheering on the…

Back to Doomben and with fine weather forecast a good track is likely. The track always plays to on-pacers and with the rail out 5.5 metres I will be looking for those that can make their own luck. A pair of European imports have my attention and I am also expecting the Maher/Eustace juggernaut to continue. BEST BET: HILLCREST AVENUE (Race 5 No…

With fine weather the track may even get into the good range though with the rail out eight metres, I will be looking for those that can go forward and take a position. BEST BET: ZATTASTAR (Race 1 No 6) NEXT BEST: SAFEEYA (Race 3 No 2) VALUE BET: ROCKIN' ARTIE (Race 6 No 8) Quaddie numbers are: Race 5: 2,3,8 Race 6: 2,5,8 Race 7: 1,3,4,5 Race 8:…

Startantes is a $9 chance in the Silver Eagle on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography. It was a horror watch for Startantes punters and Rob Heathcote last start, but the Eagle Farm trainer is looking for silver linings as his Group 1 winner heads to the $1m Silver Eagle on Saturday at Randwick. His pint-sized mare never got a crack…

Good gates and luck in running have proved vital the recent midweeks at Ipswich and I am expecting much of the same again. The tight track favours front-runners and on a good surface with the rail out between six and eight metres, I want to be on those that can take luck out of the equation.

Some interesting Southern invaders muddy the waters but previous form on the track proved a good guide at Eagle Farm last week and I expect much of same for this big 10-race card featuring the Queensland Cup. They were coming from everywhere to win last week and on a good surface with the rail out two metres there will be few excuses.

Trainer Robert Heathcote has some big spring armoury. Picture: Getty Images. Despite intense interest from a slot-holder in The Everest in recent times, Rob Heathcote has kept his eye on the prize of the Group 1 Manikato Stakes with comeback star Rothfire. But in the meantime, Heathcote is hoping he can get a change of luck with smart sprinter…

Good gates and luck in running often make the difference at Ipswich and I am expecting much of the same again. The tight track favours front-runners and on a soft surface with the rail out half a metre I want to be on those that can take luck out of the equation.

The third meeting in five days will test the track but the rail goes out three metres and on a soft surface all horses should get their chance. With good depth in most races I will be staying with the in-form stables and riders. BEST BET: ROLLER COASTER (Race 5 No 5) NEXT BEST: STARZAM (Race 8 No 11) VALUE BET: HILLCREST AVENUE (Race 6 No…

Prince Of Boom can make amends at Caulfield on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography While much attention was focused on Group 1-winning stablemate Rothfire in another race, Queensland trainer Rob Heathcote insists stablemate Prince Of Boom was a clear forgive run in his Melbourne debut. Group 2 winner Prince Of Boom started hard in…

Another off-season meeting brightened by some talented ones resuming. With fine weather forecast a good track is likely for Eagle Farm and with the rail out seven metres all horses will get their chance. With no standouts on the card I will be avoiding the short-priced ones and looking for value runners from in-form stables.

Queensland rugby league legend Allan Langer in action. Picture: David Kapernick Rob Heathcote has likened Group 1 winner Startantes to pint-sized rugby league legend Allan "Alfie" Langer, as the diminutive equine pocket rocket embarks on a rich Sydney spring campaign starting Saturday. Last-start Group 1 Tatt's Tiara winner Startantes is the mare…