Olympic Anthem sings for Heathcote

Olympic Anthem’s success in the final race at the Ipswich Cup meeting on Saturday has helped Robert Heathcote keep his nose in front of Tony Gollan in a tight battle for the Queensland Trainer Premiership.

2YO Pinch River drew first blood for the Heathcote stable, but Tony replied with a stakes race double by Alma’s Fury & Brave Ali, taking his record to 67 wins for the season.

After Olympic Anthem held out the favourite Architect in the last race, Robert’s tally was 69.5 wins.

The 3YO son of Starcraft heads to the spelling paddock for six weeks with three wins and two placings from his 11 starts this season.

Says his trainer,  “He deserved that win, he was very game and brave in the Queensland Guineas where I thought he was second and he ended up fourth.

“He’s very neat, not big, but with great propertions and very athletic. I’ve thought he was stakes class from day one.

“His best distance will be a mile, like his sire. I think he can be a cracking miler.”

Olympic Anthem was bred by Paul Webb from the Group 2-winning mare Fire Song (by Senor Pete), a grand-daughter of the fine producer Echostatic whose nine winning progeny include New Zealand Group winners Coup Ray, Singalong & Penny Arcade.

DGR Thoroughbred Services bought Olympic Anthem for $150,000 as a yearling from the draft of Trelawney Stud at the 2012 New Zealand Premier Sale.

Starcraft, sire of dual Group 1 winners Star Witness & We Can Say It Now, has also been represented this season by Group 3-winning 3YO Havana, stakes performers Stella Lante & Starkiato, promising juveniles Statton and Dual Star, and city winners Choose, Goodfun Girl & Simply Brilliant.