Rothfire steals the show at Doomben trials

Rothfire has sailed through his first serious test this campaign with a runaway win in a Doomben barrier trial.

With regular rider Jim Byrne aboard, Rothfire began brilliantly to lead Tuesday’s 840m heat and win by 2-1/2 lengths without being extended in the run to the line.

The gelding recorded a brilliant 50.87 seconds with a final 600m sectional of 33.95 seconds.

It was Rothfire’s first public appearance since his dominant win in the Group One J J Atkins (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 6 which took his record to six wins from seven starts.

Trainer Rob Heathcote plans to give the three-year-old another trial at Doomben in a fortnight before he heads to Sydney for the spring carnival.

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The Group Two Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on September 12 has been pencilled in for Rothfire’s return to racing.

He then will proceed to the $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) at the same track a fortnight later.

Heathcote hopes Rothfire’s form will be good enough to gain a start in the $15 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 17.

It is an identical path to the one taken last year by Yes Yes Yes, who produced a barnstorming finish to win The Everest in track record time.

Rothfire is $15 to win The Everest with TAB Fixed Odds, which has installed Nature Strip a $3 favourite.