Neuschwanstein rock solid in Brisbane win

Wednesday 24 July 2013, 4:51pm

Trainer Robert Heathcote's lifelong love affair with Europe is reflected in the naming of Wednesday's Eagle Farm winner Neuschwanstein.

When Heathcote was a student in Germany in the early 1980s he was a regular visitor to Neuschwanstein Castle in the state of Bavaria.

"It was built in the mid-19th century and was commissioned by `mad' King Ludwig," Heathcote said.

"When I lived in Europe and went to language college in Germany it was only a half-hour drive away and we'd often go there on weekends."

Neuschwanstein Castle was also the inspiration for the design of the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland.

Although the gelding scored narrowly by a half-neck in the William & Eileen Duffus Memorial Handicap (1400m), Heathcote says it's not a true measure of his ability.

"He's a lovely little horse but he's still doing so much wrong," he said.

"He'll go for a break and I think he's got the makings of a nice horse once the penny drops next time in."

Neuschwanstein raced in blinkers at his previous start at Eagle Farm when he finished second but Heathcote removed them for Wednesday's race.

"Damian Browne rode him that day and felt he would be better suited with the blinkers off and once again his judgement proved to be correct," Heathcote said.

Browne he missed the ride on Wednesday because he is on holidays with apprentice Anthony Allen proving an able replacement.

Liam Birchley believes These Streets can make the jump to Saturday grade after his all-the-way win in the Queensland X-Ray Maiden (1400m).

"He's always shown plenty of ability but he's been dreadfully unlucky a few times," he said.

"It was good to see him win like that and he should get a bit of confidence from it."

These Streets was stepping up to 1400m for the first time on Wednesday but Birchley is confident he can stretch his stamina to 1600m.

– AAP

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