MOSSMAN, Robert Heathcote and Damian Browne, the trio responsible for triple Group 1 winner Buffering combined to take out this afternoon’s Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) with designated up and comer Hopfgarten.
Named after a German resort where his trainer spent two years as a travel guide, Hopfgarten made light of his wide barrier to add the Guineas to his win in the Group 3 BRC Gunsynd Classic (1615m) three starts prior to today’s victory.
So much so that Hopfgarten looked the winner from a long out, sweeping up at the 200m quickly putting the issue beyond doubt.
“I elected just to ride him where he was comfortable because he’s a very versatile horse,” Browne said.
“They rolled along the first 300m, but then they slowed up, so from the 1000m point I started creeping into it.
“He travelled really well and the only thing I was worried about was getting to the front too soon.”
Heathcote was unsure of Hopfgarten’s immediate plans but is likely to keep the horse going while in such dazzling form signalling next month’s Tatt’s Mile as a possible goal.
Hopfgarten has played his part in helping his sire Mossman to a fabulous 2013/14 with a 11 individual stakeswinners spread across the globe in the 11-months until now including the Golden Slipper winner Mossfun, New Zealand Oaks winner Miss Mossman and Heathcote’s magnificent campaigner Buffering.
