Brisbane trainer Rob Heathcote is “over the moon” after booking world-class jockey Zac Purton to ride old warrior Rothfire in the $2m Sydney Stakes (1200m) on Everest day at Randwick next Saturday.
And Heathcote isn’t fazed about the massive hype surrounding Purton’s ride on Hong Kong superstar and The Everest red-hot favourite Ka Ying Rising, insisting that the champion hoop eats up pressure for breakfast.
Purton would easily be the highest-profile jockey to jump aboard Rothfire in the eight-year-old gelding’s illustrious career, which has netted more than $3.5m in prizemoney over 37 races since his debut in October 2019.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Heathcote said with Nash Rawiller deciding to compete in Melbourne on Everest day, he called Purton’s manager Liam Prior to gauge the 47-time Group 1 winner’s interest in riding Rothfire.
Rawiller then rang Purton to advise him that he should take the ride and the booking was locked in, much to the delight of Heathcote and Rothfire’s connections.
“When you’ve got probably one of the top three jockeys in the world, I’m over the moon,” Heathcote said about Purton taking the ride for the Group 3 race.
“The owners are delighted to have him on and the horse is going well.”
Too good J-Mac! He lifts Sunshine In Paris to victory in the Doomben 10,000 💪 @mcacajamez@ANeashamRacingpic.twitter.com/DJaWJwBHJI
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025
• Family feud: Hayes ready for War in Everest showdown
The Sydney Stakes is seen as a consolation contest for those sprinters which missed out on slots in the $20m Group 1 The Everest, the world’s richest turf race, on Saturday week.
All the focus leading up to Everest Day will centre on Hong Kong-based star Purton and the $1.50 hotpot Ka Ying Rising, who ran around in a much-anticipated barrier trial at Randwick on Tuesday.
But Heathcote reckons the pressure will slide off Purton faster than sweat dripping from a jockey trying to lose weight in a sauna.
“He’s used to the pressure riding in Hong Kong on a weekly basis,” the Eagle Farm trainer said on Wednesday.
“I always laugh at the statistic that the biggest betting race in Australia is the Melbourne Cup but they do that (wagering turnover) every week in Hong Kong.
“Whatever they bet on the Melbourne Cup, they do that every Sunday at Sha Tin.”
Charm Stone takes the Manikato Stakes (G1)!
— IFHA’s Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings (@worldsbesthorse) September 26, 2025
• Bashing victim to bodybuilder: Jockey’s incredible transformation
Heathcote described Rothfire’s seventh placing in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at The Valley late last month as a forgive run considering the gelding didn’t appreciate firm tracks.
Moir Stakes winner Baraqiel finished runner-up to $31 roughie Charm Stone in that race while $1.50 favourite Treasurethe Moment was beaten in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m).
“Rothfire’s had five bad runs in his life and they’ve all been on firm tracks,” Heathcote said.
“I want the rain badly.”
Rothfire, who hasn’t raced at Randwick since October 2021, will stay in Melbourne until Everest day eve when he will travel overnight on a float to Sydney.