CAN ROTHFIRE BRING HIS GROUP 1 CAREER FULL CIRCLE?

By Graham Potter | Thursday, June 12, 2025

Against the odds … that could be a book title for the career of Rothfire.

The story of Rothfire’s career … both in terms of his inherent superior-class quality on the racetrack as a racehorse and his unbending resilience against the injury adversity he has faced off the track … is already one that will long be remembered with lasting fondness by his admiring connections and by those who have closely followed the career of this Robert Heathcote trained, Queensland star.

And, right now, the latest chapter is unfolding with Rothfire due to run in the $3 million Stradbroke over 1400m at Eagle Farm on Saturday … a Group 1 race over a race distance and at a venue which has the potential to bring Rothfire full circle from the day he first saluted at Group 1 level in the J.J. Atkins over 1400m at Eagle Farm as a two-year-old way back in June 2000.

Just running in this year’s Stradbroke … which will be for the third time after a second and third place finish in 2023 (behind Private Eye) and in 2022 (behind Alligator Blood) respectively … was an improbable option ten days ago when Rothfire was under daily treatment after suffering a hoof issue picked up after suffering an unwanted stone bruise.

The positive nature of the recovery, however, still comes with the consequence of having to face the Stradbroke starter coming off that injury interrupted preparation, but Rothfire’s massive run in the Doomben 10 000, albeit four weeks ago, spoke well of his fitness levels at the time before the stone bruise setback … and constant swimming during his latest recovery period will have gone some way to serving him well during this period.

Complicating an already complicated task, is the fact that Rothfire will jump from very wide barrier draw on Saturday. Just another obstacle to overcome.

No favours there … which is pretty much par for what Rothfire has had to contend with for much of his career, so it won’t be easy to add another Group 1 notch on his belt and bring his Group 1 story full circle, but he does have the services of Group 1 ace and big race jockey par excellence James McDonald to help guide his fortunes from the saddle.

McDonald, who ousted Rothfire in the last few strides in the 10 000 when rattling home late on Sunshine In Paris, takes the ride on Rothfire this time, with Tim Clark, who rode Rothfire in the 10 000, in turn, moving over to the much vaunted, ruling Stradbroke favourite War Machine where he replaces Blake Shinn. Shinn was injured and has been sidelined since partnering the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained runner in the Group 3 BRC Sprint three weeks ago.

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