John Thompson’s Heater can put a series of frustrating near misses behind him with a breakthrough win at Doomben this afternoon.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The three-year-old Casino Prince colt, a half brother to South African Group 1 winner Strategic News, lines up in the Brisbane Marriott Maiden Handicap (1640m) today and looks to have finally found his race after five straight minor placings.
The most recent of those came eight days ago at this track over 1660m where he jumped straight to the lead from the widest gate and was run down late on to be beaten a length by Master Avatar.
Two weeks earlier was an almost identical story – Heater jumped from the widest gate, cruised over to lead and was ultimately beaten a length at the death, on that occasion by Dozing Stampede.
On both occasions he carried 59kg with champion jockey Chris Munce in the saddle, and today’s equation is no different.
He’s placed in all four runs at this track, all five over this distance and the only time he’s finished more than a length and a half off the winner in Queensland was three runs back when he bumped into talented stablemate Wonderful Jester. He went on to win in open three-year-old grade the following start.
Heater is drawn a little better today in gate five and Thompson has taken the blinkers off him for the first time and replaced them with winkers.
Don’t be surprised to see him finally cash in today. He might just do it with a bit of style.
While Heater rates comfortably clear of his nearest rivals today, there are still a couple that might push him right to the line if given the opportunity.
Diamond Life produced her best career run two weeks back when running second at Eagle Farm over 1800m.
It was the first time she was ridden out in front and it seemed to improve her although she still does a bit wrong in her races.
She’s drawn widest back to the mile, and don’t be surprised to see her take it right up and lead them all here. If she gets across and can save enough petrol, she could well give Heater something to chase.
Claypool is another who can’t be dismissed. He’s only just recently moved up from Victoria, and ran a commendable third at Eagle Farm on his Queensland debut last week after the ride dropped his whip near the 200m mark.
Blinkers go on first time today and expect him to have improved now he’s had another week to settle into his new surrounds.
Almasea looks the best of the rest after putting in a much-improved showing at Eagle Farm in her latest.
Prior to that she finished more than 20 lengths away at Toowoomba.
She’s another who likes to set the tempo, but she’s untried beyond 1500m and could just end up giving the top few a trail into the race.
