ABOUNDING GIVES HEATHCOTE AND HARLEY A SPECTACULAR WIN IN THE $3 MILLION MM GUINEAS
By Graham Potter | Saturday, January 13, 2024
The Robert Heathcote trained Abounding scored a rousing victory in the $3 million Magic Millions Three-Year-Old Guineas at the Gold Coast when she produced a superb, sustained, finely judged run in the home straight to pass a wall of horses in a pressurised finish over the final 200m to forge into the lead when it mattered most to edge out the $31 outsider Sovereign Fund by a 0.20 length margin.
When Heathcote walked back ... all alone for the moment ... across the parade ring towards the winner’s enclosure to meet his Guineas winner and received the many plaudits from Abounding’s huge ownership group after the race, it almost seemed like he was enjoying a moment of serenity amongst the surrounding mayhem, letting the moment sink in. Even his thumbs-up to the camera was a gentle and calm gesture, rather just acknowledging the camera than making any brass victory celebration statement.
“If you could bottle that feeling immediately after winning a $3 million race, I’m tipping you’ll make a dollar,” said Heathcote.
“I wasn’t high fiving and punching the sky ... it was just like ‘wow.’ I just needed that moment to take it all in ... that we’d just won the Magic Millions Guineas. It was just a feeling of such satisfaction.
“I had watched the race on a small TV screen on the side of a building. There were only a few people around me who I didn’t know ... and when I saw her (Abounding) coming I let out a little exclamation ... and then she went BANG.”
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Carrying the First Light racing silks, it was ‘game on’ for Abounding once Martin Harley switched her out wider on the track entering the home straight after racing on the inside a little over four lengths off the leader until that stage.
There was no mistaking where she was ... the bright yellow cap and the full white blaze quickly came into focus and the picture got better and better for her connections as the quality chestnut set about making up what had become a five-length deficit early in the straight.
It was scintillating stuff and an outcome which made the long wait for race action, after the race had been delayed following an unfortunate incident involving the fancied Sydney Bowler in the barriers pre-race, well worthwhile.
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“At first, I did get anxious with the long delay before the race, but I kept my eye on her (Abounding) and she took it all in her stride, which was a big plus,” said Heathcote.
“My strapper was brilliant with her. Two of my staff got her back inside ... took the saddle off her ... they gave her a hose down ... walked her ... kept her nice and cool and reasonably relaxed ... then we saddled her up and she was ready to go again.
“It was great to do it with First Light Racing and Martin Harley,” continued Heathcote.
“Martin fell off my horse (Differential) when he broke his neck in January last year and missed a winning ride at that Magic Millions.
“First Light Racing held a fund raising for him ... and he had to work so hard to get back ... and now, here we all are, winners of a $3 million race.
“It’s a story with a very happy outcome.”
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The Guineas win earned Abounding a place in the All-Star Mile lineup. It was one of the ‘Win and you are In’ lead-up races for the All-Star Mile, but Heathcote is adamant Abounding won’t be going to the All Star Mile, which will be contested on March 16 at Caulfield.
“Going there is not even a ten percent option for us,” said Heathcote.
“It is not feasible. Most of the owners are here in Queensland and we are on the doorstep of our (Queensland) Winter Carnival in April where there is a stack of suitable races for her ... you know, black type, set weights ... and the Stradbroke is a very viable option if she can get in by winning the Fred Best ... and 1400m at Eagle Farm will be right up her alley.
“That was a prediction I made. She would get 1400m all day long.
“A lot of people said she won’t, and they are the ones who have got eggs on their face because not only did she get 1400m, but she was strong through the line.
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Abounding is now a four-time winner with six minor placings from eleven starts with $2 117 500 banked in prize-money.
She won a Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate on April 23, 2023, a QTIS Three-Year-Old Open on October 28, 2023, and then made it back-to-back wins in the Listed Gold Edition on December 16 and the Magic Millions Guineas on January 13. All three of her wins prior to her Guineas victory at the 1400m trip were achieved over 1200m.
Along the way, Abounding has also finished second in the Group 3 Ken Russell, and in Bill Carter and the Mode, both Listed races.
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Abounding is owned by: First Light Racing Pty Ltd, Mr G J Walker, F L R Pretty Mixed, The Big Boys, Mr P R Harris, Mr B M Carroll, Mr G C Daniels, Miss H A Beresowskyj, Frazelstone, Mr J F Lawrence, Miss N T Fletcher, Mr G W Jones, Platinum Darling, Mr D I Hollyman, Hunter Racing, Mrs T M Kenny, Mr J Ebert, Mr A G A Eastaughfee, Dr F Carnovale
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