Woorim has been slugged a 1kg penalty for the Stradbroke Handicap after impressive win

The Brisbane Winter Carnival is where Robert Heathcote likes to shine and in 2011 he’s trained arguably the best performance to date.

Sure the efforts of Black Caviar are incredible but to a point they’re expected, what was witness with Woorim last weekend though was anything but.

He looked no chance when rounding the bend last in the BTC Sprint but in the final 200m he showed a turn of foot so impressive it even caught Heathcote off guard.

That win has sealed himself a spot in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap and handicappers were so impressed they’ve even slugged him with a 1kg penalty.

Woorim will now carry 52kg and at 23rd on the order of entry is safely in the field without needed to have another run before hand.

“I spoke to the handicapper prior to the race, he said he’d have to win comprehensively to get a penalty,” Heathcote said.

“We’re happy we’re in the race and we’re going straight to it.”

The nature of the win has impressed punters too and he’s moved in on betting markets however Sincero remains the favourite despite being yet to make the field.

It’s a strange set of circumstances and something that surprises Heathcote.

“He’s still got to qualify via the QTC Cup, no horse has ever gone via that route in the last 40 odd years,” he said.

Boosting the chances of Woorim will be the ride of Corey Brown although the incredible patience shown by Damien Browne last start will be a tough effort to replicate.

“Corey is in the top five in the country, he knows what it’s all about he’s a big race jockey,” he said.