Heathcote registered a massive victory to take the Valedictory Stakes at Woodbine
The late developing son of the 2004 Queen’s Plate winner Niigon, Heathcote, in his stakes debut turned in a brilliant race to win the Canadian Grade 3 Valedictory Stakes on the closing day for 2012 Woodbine on 16 December, 2012.
The Chiefswood Stables 4-year-old homebred defeated Peyton, ridden by jockey Luis Contreras by a massive margin of 12 ¼ lengths.
Heathcote responded and led at every call for the one mile and three-quarters long marathon, which was run over Woodbine’s All Weather track, and went on to register his fourth win from seven career starts.
Out of Touch Gold mare Prairie Flame, Heathcote covered the distance in 2 minute and 59.42 seconds. Jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson was aboard Paul Attard’s trainee, and on the last of three turns, Heathcote, was shook loose of the pace rival, Quaesitor.
Once the 4-year-old dark brown/bay gelding cleared away, he increased his advantage with every each stride, and had a massive gap between himself and the second place finisher, as he successfully posted a 6 to 1 upset.
2012 Woodbine riding champion Luis Contreras wasn’t going to let go of the second place finish, despite Heathcote romped away for a massive victory, as he rallied Peyton to grab the place spot, and defeated Quaesitor by 1 ¾ lengths.
The favourite in the field of nine was Bill Mott trained Imperial Pippin, who was sent at 2 to 1, and all the way from New York, the runner stalked leaders but didn’t have it in him to finish big, as he weakened to finish eighth.
Heathcote was exiting a second place finish in an allowance race run over a distance of 1 ¼ miles to winner Thespian’s Fate.
"He is a big horse with a big, long stride," said Wilson. "We knew the mile and three-quarters wasn't going to hurt him at all, and when I got him just cruising along with his ears up the whole way, I thought it would take a racehorse to beat him."
"He just started getting going at the three-eighths pole," grinned Wilson. "No matter how good they are, and how much they handle that distance, they do seem to get a little tired. But, he would have went around again."
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