Trainer Robert Heathcote is confident Lauterbrunnen will be well suited to the conditions when he lines up for the Rockhampton Newmarket Handicap (1300m) this afternoon.
Lauterbrunnen will line up for the Rockhampton Newmarket this afternoon. Photo: Daniel Costello
Lauterbrunnen has been a consistent and competitive performer for Heathcote through thirty-two career starts since debuting to racing in 2013; posting six wins and a further ten minors.
Set to make his Rockhampton debut in the featured Newmarket Handicap this afternoon, Heathcote told Racing Ahead he is pleased with the five-year-old’s condition and is confident the long straight will play a key role in Lauterbrunnen returning to winning form.
“I wish it was a little bit further,” Heathcote said.
“I like the fact there’s a big, long straight because that’s what he needs.
“Lucky Tom is the favourite and he beat us at Doomben last start, but my fellow was pulling ground off and Lucky Tom had led all the way.
“I’ve been waiting to get him on a big track, I’ve sorely missed Eagle Farm with him the last couple of years but the Rockhampton track is a similar layout.”
Lauterbrunnen returned to racing in typically slick form last spring; placing third in the St Vincent’s Blue Angels Plate (1600m) before posting consecutive wins on notable competition in the Courier Mail Plate (1650m) and St Margaret’s P&F Rs1 (1615m).
Returning to the paddock after placing third in the Mount Franklin Handicap (1600m) on October 3rd, the Not A Single Doubt gelding returned to racing in January for second in the Canadian Club BM85 (1110m).
Failing to match the late pace when seventh in the Your Teck Partner Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on February 20th, Lauterbrunnen placed second in the Austcover Plate (1630m) and third in the Titan Sheds Handicap (1600m), but simply did not handle the conditions when beating only one runner home in the Flash, Zing Pop Culture Handicap (1630m) on April 2nd.
Having received a freshen-up following that performance, Lauterbrunnen is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his most recent run for second in the Aami Stradbroke Day BM85 (1350m) on June 1st.
Ladbrokes Australia currently rate Lauterbrunnen a $5.50 chance in 2016 Rockhampton Newmarket Handicap betting markets.
