Premier trainer Rob Heathcote is hoping Marked can help pay for his investment in two colts from New Zealand’s Karaka sales when the six-year-old races at Doomben on Saturday.
Heathcote, who has claimed training honours in Brisbane for the past three seasons, has only two runners at Doomben as his stable gears up for the rich autumn carnivals in Melbourne and Sydney.
He will saddle up Marked in the Mittys Plate (2040m) and Humma in the Woolworths Open Handicap (1200m).
“This is a quiet time of the year for me and I’ve only got Marked and Humma in on Saturday,” Heathcote said.
“I’d be really surprised if Humma can win over 1200 metres but I think Marked has a genuine chance if the track can improve further.
“We haven’t had that much rain this week so hopefully the track can firm up a bit.”
Marked won a 1500-metre Class Three Plate at Eagle Farm in December before being placed at his subsequent two starts in class four and class six company at Eagle Farm last month.
Heathcote returned from New Zealand on Wednesday after outlaying $NZ150,000 for two yearlings, one of which is a half brother to last year’s Group One Queensland Derby winner Shootoff.
“I liked the presence of Shootoff’s half brother and he looked like making a very nice stayer,” Heathcote said.
“He’s by Keeper and I thought he was a great buy for the price.”
Heathcote’s other purchase was a $NZ75,000 colt by 2004 Cox Plate winner Savabeel.
“He’s out of the Just A Dancer mare Call Me Lily, who won eight races up to 2100 metres,” Heathcote said.
“The mother has had four foals to race and three of them have been winners.”
Heathcote is looking for his first Group One winner when he sends Woorim and Buffering to Melbourne later this month.
The pair had an exhibition gallop over 1000-metres on a heavy track at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.
Buffering will be ridden by Michael Rodd when he runs first-up in the Group One Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 18 while Damian Browne will partner Woorim in the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield a week later.
The pair are likely to clash in the Group One Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington in March before Woorim heads to Sydney for the Group One George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill and Group One Doncaster Mile at Randwick. .
Buffering will remain in Melbourne after the Newmarket for the Group One William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 23.
AAP TURF gmd
