GAME ON HEATHCOTE FACES TOBY’S TOUGH TEST
THE two form stables of Queensland metropolitan racing go head to head in an intriguing Class 3 Plate at Eagle Farm today.
Toby Edmonds yesterday declared Mr Wind would simply “beat these’’ but Bidii Babe’s trainer Robert Heathcote was not shying away from the challenge.
“Mr Wind would want to be good,’’ Heathcote said.
“It’s a big ask for him. I know he couldn’t have been any more impressive in his maiden win but he has to take on Saturday class horses now. What Bidii Babe did last time in was pretty impressive.
“Common sense says they don’t win a maiden and go and win a carnival race like she did. I think she’s very good.’’
Earlier, Edmonds told Radio TAB that jockey Jeff Lloyd had believed some time ago Mr Wind was the best horse in the stable and he backed that assessment.
“He’ll beat these horses,’’ Edmonds said. “He’s a very good horse. Barring bad luck he will beat these if he’s going to get to where we think.
“You don’t get a horse of his ability very often and I would expect him to take that step.’’
Edmonds noted Mr Wind could have run a much quicker time on debut because Lloyd “shut him down at the furlong’’ and he expects Rothesay’s son to improve significantly.
Even if Bidii Babe is beaten, Heathcote will be disappointed if he goes home without a winner from Eagle Farm.
Heathcote is hoping today’s runners, which also include Manias and Privlaka, can become the next generation of stakes winners for the stable as old flag-bearers like Buffering and Hopfgarten approach the twilight of their careers.
“We need a horse or two to assume the mantle,” Heathcote said.
“I will be disappointed if all of them don’t run well. Hopefully, this meeting is a stepping stone to better things for them.
“I think you will see a seriously good racehorse with Privlaka this time.
“If you look at what he did in the Mick Dittman Plate off the outside gate, it was an outstanding effort. Then he strained a muscle after that and we turned him out.
“Jim Byrne booked himself for this horse some time ago. He told me he wanted to ride him every time he gallops and he won’t get off.”