Brisbane Premiership winning trainer Robert Heathcote is hoping for a big performance from the former Victorian-trained Work The Room on Saturday, the Bel Esprit gelding set to tackle a quality field of rivals in the Tattersall’s Mile at Eagle Farm.
A rising six-year-old, Work The Room is a half-brother to veteran champion Zipping and is one of 14 final acceptors for this year’s $80,000 Listed Tattersall’s Mile (1600m).
The galloper joined Heathcote at his Eagle Farm stables only a few months ago, Work The Room previously having been prepared in Melbourne by Colin Little.
Showing early promise in their career Work The Room won their opening two race starts in Ballarat and Sandown Hillside.
They continued to race competitively recording three minor placings and another win during their six more starts with Little.
Work The Room made their debut for Heathcote at Doomben in May finishing a close third to Blazing Hearts in a 1350m handicap.
After flopping in their next start a fortnight later running four lengths away 10th to Steel Lips over 1615m at Doomben, Work The Room was back to their eye-catching best when finishing a brave second to the ultra-consistent Mystical Grey in the Hamilton Hotel Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 25.
Last start Work The Room ran third to the Gerald Ryan-trained Strumming in a 1500m Handicap on July 9, but Heathcote remains confident they can bounce back this weekend.
Craig Stott’s in-form six-year-old Mystical Grey is the Tattersall’s Mile favourite for Saturday at $4.60, despite their awkward barrier 10 draw with Damian Browne to ride at 57kg.
Work The Room will jump two inside the favourite from gate eight with Paul Hammersley booked for the ride, the galloper starting on the 53kg minimum and currently one of the top elects paying $9, the first time they will not start the favourite since joining Heathcote.
Heathcote is tipping Work The Room to be more impressive once he gets them out to 2000 metres later this prep, and although hopeful, believes the Tattersall’s Mile will be a tough run.
“There’s a lot of punters out there that wish he’d stayed in Melbourne I guess,” Heathcote said.
“He’s had his fair share of problems in the past and he’s the type of horse that needs genuine speed on.
“He’ll be most effective over 2000 metres but with the issues he’s had particularly with his feet we’ve been taking it real steady until we get him to 2000 metres.
“So it’s a big ask in this Listed race tomorrow. It’s a good quality race.”
Following Mystical Grey in the Tattersall’s Mile odds are 58kg topweight Hume ($5.60) on the rails and the Alan Bailey-trained Frozone ($7) who won the Tattersall’s Racing Club Mile here two starts back.
