Strong hand for Anderson-Heathcote team

Robert Heathcote and training partner Chris Anderson have a strong hand at Eagle Farm.

The Chris Anderson-Robert Heathcote training partnership has elected to split its three stayers but will still have a strong hand in the Open Handicap over 1600 metres at Eagle Farm.

The stable accepted on Saturday with Kubis, Ingeegoodbe and Zafonic Dancer who are all second-up after resuming at Eagle Farm three weeks ago.

Anderson-Heathcote Racing has also accepted with Ruling Dynasty who is coming back in distance after running fourth over 1800m at the Gold Coast two weeks ago.

But Zafonic Dancer has been scratched from the Open to run in a benchmark race also over 1600m.

Heathcote said all four horses were being set for a spring series of staying races.

“Kubis, Ingeegoodbe and Zafonic Dancer all resumed in the one race at Eagle Farm and they all pleased us with their efforts,” Heathcote said.

“Kubis won, Zafonic Dancer was fourth and Ingeegoodbe was just behind them. They were all good pointers for longer races.”

Heathcote decided to target the spring staying races which carry extra prize money after having trouble getting a run for Kubis in the winter carnival.

“He ran a terrific second in the Toowoomba Cup but so many horses came from elsewhere for the staying races he kept getting balloted out,” he said.

“It was then we decided to look to the spring Brisbane races. I hope it proves the right decision.”

He said Zafonic Dancer would be suited at 1600m but had drawn poorly in the Open handicap.

“We have claimed three kilos with Nick Keal on him on Saturday so that is better for him,” Heathcote said.

He said Ingeegoodbe and Ruling Dynasty would be suited in longer races.

Meanwhile, the partnership has put winkers on promising Profit in the Three-Year-Old Handicap (1400m).

Anderson said Profit was promising but was still very green.

“The winkers should help him concentrate. He won his only start at Caloundra but did a lot wrong,” he said.

Profit was a $320,000 Yearling by top sire Dundeel and the partnership hopes he develops into a Derby prospect.

“That is a long way off but we do have an opinion of him,” Anderson said.

Profit is the latest in a series of promising horses the partnership trains for the Think Big Stud.

The Three-Year-Old handicap is looming as an interesting race with several promising horses in the field.

“It will certainly give us a good idea of where he currently stands,” Anderson said.