They say a week is a long time in racing but for owners of the Queensland Rogues it’s been five long weeks since the heart stopping debut of The Big Goodbye for their team at Eagle Farm.
Trainer Rob Heathcote whipped the owners, who were lucky enough to attend Eagle Farm back on September 4 into a frenzy with a pre-race Origin speech that would have made Rogues team leader Billy Slater proud.
History now tells you The Big Goodbye went within a whisker of a remarkable victory but had to settle for second.
Then the great uncertainty of racing struck. The Big Goodbye injured his off front hoof and within days had kicked out in his box and injured his back leg.
Neither were major injuries and Rob has given him time to recuperate and now he’s ready to go.
Rob and jockey Taylor Marshall are extremely happy with his trackwork and fitness heading into Wednesday’s John Lyng Group Handicap over 1200 metres.
This is a quality race for a Wednesday at Doomben (Race 5) with a heap of chances. Vistabelle looked unlucky at Ipswich last start, Sir Warwick normally goes forward but from the inside draw he may take a sit. Kavak has topweight but is racing in consistent form.
With the scratchings it’s only a field of eight, but from barrier 6, Taylor will just need a touch of luck, which we certainly hope he gets.
The Big Goodbye is a short priced favourite at Sportsbet, we certainly trust their form students are great judges.
Go The Big Goodbye, we’ll be cheering!
Terry Kennedy