Hopfgarten wins Sunshine Coast Guineas

Saturday 28 June 2014, 3:29pm

Hopfgarten saved his trainer Robert Heathcote from more sleepless nights with a win in the Group Three Sunshine Coast Guineas on Saturday.

Hopfgarten won four races in a row earlier this year and Heathcote had to decide whether to set him for the Queensland Derby or shorter races.

He opted for the latter and continued to be proved right with Hopfgarten ($6) coming from near last to beat Miss Husson ($15) by a half length with 2-1/2 lengths to Fast Arrow ($15) in the 1600m race.

"Now he has won it makes things a little easier to sleep," Heathcote said.

The win at the Sunshine Coast comes three starts after Hopfgarten won the Group Three Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm which he followed by beating just two horses home in the Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben.

"I thought I might have gone the wrong way," said Heathcote of his decision to chase shorter races.

"My wife Vicki is the major shareholder in Hopfgarten and I thought I might be in for some strife."

Heathcote will be holidaying in Vietnam shortly but Hopfgarten may not have a break just yet.

"I might start him in the Tatts Mile over 1600m or there is a handicap three-year-old coming up," Heathcote said.

Hopfgarten is named after a resort in Germany where Heathcote worked as travel guide for two years.

Winning jockey Damian Browne said Hopfgarten had plenty of ability and would be a top class four-year-old.

Trainer Mick Mair was thrilled with the run of Fast Arrow who was originally first emergency.

"I knew he would run a big race we just needed to get a start. He will come back a good horse," Mair said.

– AAP

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