Qld partnership hopes to rule in 2019-20

Ruling Dynasty is expected to improve sharply at his second run after a spell at Eagle Farm.

The Anderson-Heathcote partnership hope to set the tone for the new racing season at Eagle Farm.

Chris Anderson and Robert Heathcote started their new training partnership on May 1 and have already had 29 winners.

They are relying on Ruling Dynasty to end the season on a bright note in Saturday’s Workforce Success Handicap (1400m).

Ruling Dynasty was well beaten first-up at Doomben two weeks ago but is expected to be a far better chance on Saturday.

Anderson admits May 1 seemed a strange time to start the new venture but there is a reason.

“We wanted to give ourselves a clear three months to get things sorted out,” Anderson said.

“There were a lot of logistics to work on and we wanted things in place before the new racing season starts.”

Anderson said it was pleasing the partnership had started with so many winners.

“We are averaging nearly two winners a week but more importantly we have got things in place for next season,” he said.

“Whether we can challenge Tony (Gollan) for the metropolitan premiership remains to be seen but we have some nice young horses coming through.

“There are some very well-bred young horses in the stable and we are hoping they will step up.”

The partnership also has a solid core of older horses who they expect to keep performing.

Ruling Dynasty is one of those and they are hoping he is ready to return to his best summer form.

The rising eight-year-old was a good performer as a younger horse for James Cummings in Sydney winning a City Tattersall’s Cup and finishing midfield in an ATC Australian Derby.

He has been with Heathcote for a year, winning twice as well as running second three times.

One of those seconds was to Coldstone in the Listed Brisbane Handicap during the summer.

Coldstone confirmed that form by winning the Listed Prime Minister’s Cup during the winter carnival.

Anderson said Ruling Dynasty had trialled well before being run off his feet in an open handicap at Doomben when he resumed.

“He has never shown much first-up and gets better as his campaigns go on,” Anderson said.

“It isn’t the strongest looking open handicap on Saturday and 1400 metres at Eagle Farm should suit him.

“There are plenty of races to suit him in the next few weeks so we are looking for a strong showing on Saturday.”