Top trainer Robert Heathcote was rewarded for two of the toughest decisions of his career when Fillydelphia returned to form with an authoritative win at Doomben.Fillydelphia had failed at four runs this preparation and Heathcote rolled the dice by removing the blinkers and ordering a change of rider.His gamble was rewarded when she raced away with the $125,000 Rough Habit Plate (2020m).Heathcote's bold decision proved costly for Larry Cassidy who had ridden Fillydelphia this preparation but rep
Top trainer Robert Heathcote was rewarded for two of the toughest decisions of his career when Fillydelphia returned to form with an authoritative win at Doomben.
Fillydelphia had failed at four runs this preparation and Heathcote rolled the dice by removing the blinkers and ordering a change of rider.
His gamble was rewarded when she raced away with the $125,000 Rough Habit Plate (2020m).
Heathcote's bold decision proved costly for Larry Cassidy who had ridden Fillydelphia this preparation but replacement rider Luke Nolan capitalised on his surprise call up.
Nolan allowed Fillydelphia plenty of time to find her feet in the early stages and she dashed quickly in the straight to score a 2-3/4 length win.
Patinack Farm gelding Hour Of Peril held his ground to finish second with race favourite Chateau Fort battling on well to finish a neck back third after enduring a torrid run.
Heathcote sent an apology to Cassidy and declared Fillydelphia was back on track for a tilt at the Group One QTC Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 4.
"I've been saying to everyone that she was a potential Oaks filly and she has proved that she has got what it takes," Heathcote said.
"I feel a bit sorry for Larry as he's done a lot of work on her but after her last couple of runs I had to make a really tough decision.
"I took the blinkers off and I took Larry off her.
"I told him it was nothing against him but we just needed to change our luck because we knew how well she was going on the track.
"But there were still plenty of question marks hanging over her head and I had to find the answers.
"She'll go into the Oaks now and be very hard to beat."
Damian Browne was trapped wide early on Chateau Fort and he was forced to push forward near the 1300m to settle outside the leader and he warned punters not to drop off the horse in the QTC Derby (2400m) on June 11.
"He kept trying and once we got into a spot he relaxed really well for me," Browne said.
"He didn't have much luck early and I had to go forward on him but he still found the line nicely and I'm really happy with the horse going forward towards the Derby.