September 2009
Sydney Campaign Shows Funantes Has Topline Potential
Horse: Funtantes
Owners: Mrs Vicki Heathcote, Wayne Purchase, Nev Brownlow, Bruce Harry, Tim McPherson & Gary Elliot.
Trainer: R L Heathcote (Eagle Farm)
Breeding: 3yo b f Easy Rocking - Cantantes (by Just Awesome)
Purchased At: Retained by breeders
Queensland owned and bred three year-old filly Funtantes ventured to Sydney during September when runner up in the prestigious Heritage Stakes at Rosehill.
Taking on the boys, Funantes went down by a long neck to $600,000 Fastnet Rock colt Stryker.
That courageous effort earned her the September QROA Owners of The Month Award.
The Heritage Stakes has proven to be a great guide to potential Group 1 winners.
It’s honour roll includes a star studded list Kingston Town, Octagonal, Intergaze, General Nediym and Lonhro.
Only one filly has won the Heritage Stakes in its twenty four year history.
Dual Group One winning filly Hasna claimed the Heritage in 2003.
Funtantes will be now aimed at the 2010 Brisbane Winter Carnival, with the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap on the radar.
Prior to embarking on her winter mission, Funtantes will look to plunder the rich QTIS three year-old bonus races on offer in the New Year.
Prepared by premiership winning trainer Rob Heathcote, Funtantes has proven to be a wonderful money spinner for connections.
At the time of writing, Funtantes has amassed almost $300,000 from just eleven starts.
Her four victories include a stakes win in the Listed $150,000 Doomben Two Year-Old Classic (1200m).
Funtantes is by consistent Queensland stallion Easy Rocking, who stands at Darling Downs nursery Wattle Brae Stud.
Funtantes is the third foal of Just Awesome mare Cantantes, who was also raced by a partnership headed by Vicki Heathcote.
Cantantes four foals of racing age have been prepared by Rob Heathcote, with the youngest of them a two year-old gelding by Falvelon named Excellantes.
She produced another Falvelon colt this spring, and was covered by Easy Rocking in the hope of a full relation to Funtantes next season.
Cantantes first two foals Notre Amour (m Show A Heart) and Brillantes (m Falvelon) were both handy types on the racetrack for the Heathcotes.
But the pair now have even brighter futures in the breeding barn thanks to their younger stakes winning sibling Funtantes.
2009/2010 Owners Of The Month Award is proudly sponsored by Brisbane Horse Transport.
Success ! Return to scale celebrations for the Albert The Fat team. www.tracksidephotography.com.au
The smiles tell the story. The owners of Hot Danish are beaming after her Doomben 10,000 win. www.tracksidephotography.com.au
QROA President Kerrina King and her husband Vince Pennisi
