KEY POINTS:
If there is such a thing as an emotional rollercoaster, Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote experienced the ride of his life at Eagle Farm yesterday.
In the space of two hours, Heathcote won the feature race and had four horses declared late scratchings, three of them at the barrier.
Ninety minutes after his three runners were scratched before the third event, the racing gods smiled when his mare Colonial Lass stormed to victory in the A$40,000 Fourex Gold Plate (1200m).
Forty minutes later, those smiles became frowns when Notre Amour, the $3.20 favourite, was scratched after she reared in the barriers. His tumultuous day was far from over.
Stable stalwart Noble Gaze looked home in the Lyndhurst Stud Handicap (1300m) but was nailed on the line when the Tracey Green-trained Pay Me reeled off an amazing finishing burst to snatch a half-neck win.
Three races earlier, things weren't so bright for the trainer.
He had three runners in the Melbourne Cup Day At Eagle Farm Hcp (1000m) and believed a cheque would be his.
But upon his arrival at the horse stalls, his team of three was promptly reduced to two.
Ilikeadacolour became anxious when Heathcote attempted to bridle her and was scratched. His other runners, Madame Chanel and Stresso, arrived at the start in one piece but both were scratched at the barrier after separate incidents.
Heathcote was dumbfounded but found a reason to blame for the calamity.
"It's the equine influenza - we haven't been able to work our horses properly for the past two weeks and they're all too fresh and above themselves in condition."
- AAP
