Rothfire has stunned the Doomben 10,000 field, winning in style to defy his age and $61 odds.
The 8 year-old-gelding was given no shot by market, but defied his doubters to show his talents that he often threatened in other big sprint races across his career.
“What a journey this horse has taken us on,” trainer Rob Heathcote said.
”Oli Peoples rides him in all his work, he’s got tears flowing. I was here when Black Caviar won, Buffering ran third and I was here when Buff got knocked off so redemption is sweet.
”What a ride by Brad Rawiller, he came up here for one ride. I love him.”
Heathcote said the decision to give Rawiller the ride was made late, who travelled north for the one ride.
“It was a bit of a crazy week because we didn’t know who was going to be riding him,” he said.
”Here was a stage there when it was going to be one of the local boys,but I really wanted one of the southern boys because they just get the job done. Brad got it done for us today, it’s a very special story and I thought we’d reached the pinnacle when he won the Sydney Stakes, but this one tops it off.”
An emotional Heathcote said his veterans win is ”culmination of my career”.
“He’s won nearly $6 million for us now, so it’s just unbelievable. This is the culmination of my career, I’ve had many highlights but to win this race in front of such a wonderful crowd against a quality field and with all my family here, it means the world to me. It’s just super.”
