The little grey mare Fire Up Fifi has been one of the most improved horses in Brisbane over the last 3-4 months and it’s no surprise she’s in the states leading stable- the Heathcote yard.
Like most punters around I have always followed her and she has always had ability but she has stepped up to become a serious horse and I asked Rob if it has just been maturity that has seen her improve, or if it was something else? “Yeah just maturity mate, it’s the same with most horses, if they have ability and you can recognise that ability it is just a matter of being patient, and that’s exactly what we have been with her. In the early days I told the owner that she was a genuine Saturday quality horse but we have to be patient with her. The one thing they have to have is ability, and she has always had that, she’s just never had the full package, but now she has that and is turning into a real good horse. Ryan Hurdle also gave her a 10 out of 10 on the weekend” Heathcote said.
It looks as though she may also back up in an open handicap mile race this Saturday before she heads for a well-earned spell.
When you talk to Rob you have to ask about the headline acts and Buffering, Woorim, Solzhenitsyn and Excellantes are all ticking over well early in their preps. Woorim and Solzhenitsyn will head for Melbourne in three weeks. Woorim kicks off in the 1000m McEwen stakes, while Solzhenitsyn will kick off in the Bobby Lewis stakes 1200m. Both will head to the Sir Rupert Clarke 1400m Group 1 after that.
Buffering and Excellantes are also on track for their trips south but will be around three weeks behind the other pair. I have always had a lot of time for Fillydelphia and Rob mentioned that she is back in the stable and he hasn’t ruled out a trip south for her, however she would have to show she was back to her best with a couple of runs in Brisbane before that option was seriously considered. Rob feels she just wasn’t right and didn’t come up last time in work but said she is very smart when right.
