Arrivals boost Robert Heathcote’s spirits

The arrival of two horses from Victoria, one a familiar face and the other a stable newcomer, have helped boost Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote’s spirits.

Heathcote started the season in great form, winning 40 races in the first three months but since then has had only a handful of winners.

“The slump coincides with civil work starting within metres of my stables at Eagle Farm. The horses have been unable to rest and I have had to try other methods to get them relax,” Heathcote said.

“But they have finished work for the Christmas holidays and I am told when they return it will be at the other end of the track and away from me.”

The work is for infrastructure for another project away from the infield stabling complex site which has been idle since the death of two construction workers in October.

Heathcote’s favourite horse Buffering will arrive in Brisbane this week for a summer holiday along with sprinter Trevinder who runs at Doomben on Saturday.

The multiple Group One-winning Buffering now resides at Living Legends in Victoria but will spend most of the summer at his part-owner Bruce Harry’s Queensland property.

“He is set to make an appearance at Eagle Farm on New Year’s Eve to coincide with the Buffering Stakes. He will also probably be at the Gold Coast on Magic Millions day,” Heathchote said.

Trevinder will have his first start for the stable in the Listed Bribie Hcp (1050m).

The gelding has won only four races but has finished second on 10 occasions.

One of those seconds was at his most recent start in with in the Group Three Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield in July.

Formerly trained by Mat Ellerton and Simon Zahra, Trevinder was also second in the Listed W J Adams Stakes at Caulfield earlier this year.

“He is a speed horse and won one of the heats of the Jeep Challenge – those short course races at Moonee Valley – earlier in his career,” Heathcote said.

“His owners sent him here for easier races and the Bribie looked a perfect way to start. Trevinder has run well in stakes races previously and he has settled in well.”

Trevinder has drawn barrier 18 in the field of 14 plus six emergencies but at this stage will start with Luke Tarrant to ride.

Sold For Song and Wicked Intent were scratched on Wednesday after drawing 19 and 20 respectively.