Damian Lane says he will take luck out of the equation on Rothfire in Friday night’s Manikato Stakes after things didn’t go to plan in his Moir Stakes lead-up a month ago.
Rothfire was boxed in by Bella Nipotina in the 1000-metre dash and went to the line untested as a well-backed favourite, but will again line up against the speedy mare in a deep field on Friday night.
Lane says the Queensland sprinter is drawn ideally in barrier five, and would make sure he settles in front of his main dangers in the run.
Rothfire, ridden by Damian Lane, on the way to the barriers for the Moir Stakes.Credit:Getty Images
“I just probably lacked a little bit of acceleration when Bella Nipotina came around us at the 1000 metres and I got stuck in an awkward spot where I went to the line without being fully tested,” Lane said of the last start.
“The 1200 metres will benefit him in that respect – I think he’s probably looking for that now and hopefully he can sprint better when I need him.
“He’s a really brilliant beginner, and I’ve just sat in the last two starts because there’s been such high pressure after we’ve gone 200 metres, but up to 1200 I expect I’ll be right there on the speed and one of the ones to run down.
“That’s one of his best attributes, that he can absorb speed and really run on, so knowing that he gets a strong 1400, you can afford to use him a bit at 1200, and I think that’ll be a big advantage for him.”
Trainer Rob Heathcote, who won the race in 2013 with Buffering, was happy to forgive Rothfire’s performance in the Moir.
The sprinter did not gallop at Moonee Valley at Tuesday’s Breakfast with the Best, but Heathcote said the horse didn’t need any more experience getting around the tight circuit.
“He won the McEwen, he was brilliant in the Moir, unlucky, [and] I’ve got no qualms about him handling the Valley now,” Heathcote said.
“From that soft barrier, it opens up a few avenues for Damian.
Jonker, ridden by Daniel Moor, wins the 2021 Manikato Stakes.Credit:Getty Images
“Coolangatta inside, Bella Nipotina is going to get back a little bit, [Best Of] Bordeaux is going to come over from out wide, he [Rothfire] should just about get the ideal run.”
Paulele is the hot favourite in the race, fresh from his win in the Schillaci Stakes, but Heathcote said he didn’t believe there was anything between the Godolphin star and his boy.
“I think that was exemplified up here in Queensland in the Kingsford Smith group 1,” he said.
“Paulele and Apache Chase fought it out and Rothfire was a long neck off them. There was nothing in it then, and I don’t think anything’s changed.
“His wheelhouse distance is probably 1400 metres, to be honest. Have a look at his run in the Stradbroke [behind] Alligator Blood and Private Eye, and my guy had a really tough run from a wide alley, and he ran super.
“The 1200 metres now, after the two runs, after a month between runs, I feel it’s ideal.”
Lane said he was, in fact, more wary about Bella Nipotina as the one to beat.
“I imagine I’ll be in the first three and Paulele and Bella Nipotina having really nice runs behind us, but they’re still going to have to make up that ground on us turning for home, hopefully,” Lane said.
“I’m confident that [Rothfire] will run really well. It’s obviously a very tough race and an open race.
“I think that if Bella Nipotina gets the right run, she’s got a brilliant burst of speed, and she’s going to be awfully hard to beat, but I know he’s going to be there for a long way, and he’s going to put himself right in the race.”
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