STARTANTES IN RUNNING FOR $1M

IT STARTED off with a $37,500 throw at the stumps, now Rob Heathcote is looking to finish Startantes’ Sydney odyssey with $1m in the bank by winning The Invitation at Randwick on Saturday.

Originally considered second tier to her stablemate Prince Of Boom, Startantes has flown the flag for the Brisbane trainer in Sydney after Rothfire was again forced to miss The Everest due to injury.

After initially not nominating her for the Group 1 Golden Rose last month, connections forked out a late entry fee which resulted in a net loss of $27,500 after she finished sixth

before going again a week later in the Group 1 Flight Stakes.

“It was a last-minute decision to run in the Golden Rose,” Heathcote said. “It cost us a $27,500 loss then we buttered

up another $20,000 and we got back $75,000, but she got that all-important G1 placing next to her name. That is what has got her into The Invitation.

“It was a brave call doing what we’ve done but I think Queensland’s best horses aren’t far off (Sydney’s) better horses.”

Having not secured a run in the new race until last week, Startantes was in limbo following her third placing in the Flight Stakes. Heathcote originally said she would be making the trip back to Brisbane.

While the $2m feature may not have attracted the big-name fillies and mares NSW officials first hoped for, Heathcote said it was an even bunch. Startantes is an $8.50 third favourite.

Startantes is just one part of a two-pronged Sydney attack for Heathcote, who also has the well-backed Emerald Kingdom in the Filante Handicap (1400m).