THE Robert Heathcote-trained Rothfire put a firm stamp on his spring with an emphatic display in the Group 2 Run To Roses at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

Smart from the gates, the Rothsay gelding let the Golden Slipper winner take over as Hugh Bowman let Farnan tear clear by four lengths in the early stages of the 1,200 metre sprint.

Picking up the tempo into the straight Jim Byrne let Rothfire run through his gears, sweeping past Farnan to post a one and half-length win ahead of the Written Tycoon colt Ole Kirk and the Brazen Beau colt North Pacific.

“He’s a gun for hire, Rothfire,” declared course broadcaster Darren Flindell, while Robert Heathcote spoke with a sense of vindication. “There is no doubting that was as good of a field as he can come up against and he made a statement,” he said. “He deserves to be in the Golden Rose and deserves a slot in The Everest. We had known he was very good. He showed in that race he is not a one-trick pony and has beaten the Golden Slipper and Up And Coming (Stakes) winners. I had him a little soft for that, so there is improvement to come in my horse.”

Rothfire is now outright favourite for the Group 1 Golden Rose on September 26th and third in line for the A$14 million The Everest on October 17th.

In the postscript to the Run To Roses, Hugh Bowman, just back for serving a six-week suspension for careless riding, was hauled before the stewards to explain his tactics on Farnan, which Robert Heathcote had described as “insanity”.

Farnan was timed at 10.34 and 10.88 seconds between the 1,000m to 800m and 800m to 600m. “Is there any reason why you rode in that manner. As aggressive as what you were?” queried Chairman of Stewards Marc Van Gestel.

Bowman counted with; “When I showed my hand, my horse being first-up reacted and took off basically, I didn’t come out to lead at all costs.” The stewards have adjourned their inquiry.

THE Savabeel colt Mo’unga turned in a Group 1 audition, winning the Listed Dulcify Quality at Rosehill on Saturday, sending him to a clear favourite for the Spring Champion Stakes on October 10th.

The Chris Waller-trained colt, NZ$325,000 yearling from New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka Premier, settled well back in the field before moving through the field with authority to remain unbeaten after three starts.

“They were decent horses he was racing against. He got back from his wide draw and settled, bided his time and came through them like a real professional,” said Waller.

THE catalogue for New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run sale in November is now available online. A total of 311 two-year-olds are catalogued with clips available online by October 16th.

Due to New Zealand travel restrictions, international buyers will be able to participate via NZB’s new online bidding platform that will debut at the Ready to Run Sale.

Last year’s sale grossed NZ$24 million, averaged over $88,500 with a top price of $550,000.