The old firm of Rob Heathcote and Damian Browne continued their great association together by claiming the G3 Gunsynd Classic with Hopfgarten at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Heathcote and Brown have formed a lethal partnership in recent years with star sprinter Buffering who claimed three Group 1’s in Melbourne and Perth last spring.
Browne rode Hopfgarten perfectly with the three-year-old camped just in behind the pace set up by the Trevor Bailey-trained Avalanches.
Avalanches valiantly attempted to lead all the way but was overhauled over the concluding stages to go down by 1-1/4 lengths to Hopfgarten.
Rudy was a further long neck away third.
Hopfgarten’s win took his record to five wins and four placings from 15 starts with prizemoney totalling more than $151,000, a healthy return on his $26,000 purchase as a yearling.
Hopfgarten has emerged as one of Queensland’s latest discoveries after recording his fourth consecutive win since mid-March.
Heathcote believes Hopfgarten has a bright future and hasn’t ruled out nominating him for the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June.
“He’s a nice horse with a very bright future,” Heathcote said.
“He’s now won a Group 3 race and our goal was always the Queensland Guineas.
“However, I won’t be afraid to throw in a nomination for the Stradbroke with him.”
Heathcote rates Hopfgarten as highly versatile.
“He won his previous start coming from last with 59 kilos and today he won by racing just off the pace,” he said.
“He’s jumped every hurdle we’ve thrown at him.”
– Racing Queensland
