Funtantes To Be Retired

Queensland-based mare Funtantes will be retired at the end of her current campaign with trainer Robert Heathcote hopeful that she can go out a winner in the Channel Seven Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Funtantes will be retired at the conclusion of her current racing campaign. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Funtantes has been ultra-consistent since making her racing debut at the end of 2008 and has recorded a number of big race wins through her career.

The Easy Rocking mare won the 2009 Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben, the Listed Juanmo Stakes (1200m) in 2011 and Listed Brisbane R.C. Nudgee Handicap (1200m) at Doomben earlier this year.

Heathcote clearly has a soft spot for the rising seven-year-old and said he would love to see her go out as winner.

“This campaign will pull her up and I’d like to think she can go out on a high note,” Heathcote told AAP.

“Another win for her would be a fitting send off.

“We bred her and she’s performed year in, year out since she was a two-year-old.”

The Channel Seven Handicap has drawn a hot field and Funtantes will have to be at her very best to win the race that is set to include consistent sprinter Grey Assignment, veteran gelding Gundy Son, Group 3 winner Benny’s Button and the inconsistent but talented Metallurgical.

Despite the strong field, Heathcote believes that Funtantes is a genuine winning chance and said he has been happy with her recent form.

“I liked her last run, she looked the winner with 100 metres to go but I thought the 57kg and the slow track just caught up with her in the final stages,” the leading Queensland trainer said.

“On Saturday she’s well weighted with Priscilla Schmidt‘s 2kg claim, which brings her in with a good weight and the drier the track is the better her chances of winning.”

Heathcote has already wrapped up the Queensland trainers premiership and recorded his 100th win of the season at Doomben yesterday.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.