Heathcote remains optimistic with Billionair Baby

By Glenn Davis

Robert Heathcote’s Billionair Baby may not have lived up to his name and family record so far but it could be a case of what might have been with an illness free career.

A son of Winning Rupert, Billionair Baby promised a lot early in his career until a virus put him out of action for 12 months in his three-year-old season.

Heathcote will send Billionair Baby into the Class 4 Handicap at the Sunshine Coast on Friday night after deciding to bypass Eagle Farm on Saturday.

“Nothing went right for him early on,” Heathcote said.

“He got a virus which hammered him a while ago.

“We brought him back into work but his coat was so horrible we had to tip him out again.”

Billionair Baby is raced in a big syndicate of owners, which includes Adrenaline Thoroughbreds, and has won just over $221,000 in prizemoney with four wins and seven placings in his career.

“He’s got a great bunch of owners and Adrenaline Thoroughbreds do such a great job,” Heathcote said.

Billionair Baby is a son of the former Rex Lipp-trained Express Air, who was a three-time winner, including the Group 2 Queensland Guineas in 2009.

Now a five-year-old, Billionair Baby steps out for his 25th start in the Class 4 Handicap.

Billionair Baby will carry 60.5kgs with Vlad Duric in the saddle after Heathcote ruled out claiming.

“I gave a lot of thought about claiming but Vlad is riding in such good form,” Heathcote said.

The five-year-old is coming off a gutsy fourth to the Stuart Kendrick-trained Tavistorm in a 1400 metre Class 5 Handicap at the Sunshine Coast on January 31.

Heathcote preferred to return to the Sunshine Coast with Billionair Baby in preference to the Benchmark 78 Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

“He needs a track with a bit of give in it so we’ve decided to go to the Sunshine Coast,” Heathcote said.

“He’s still got a viable future and we’re still optimistic with him.”

With rain forecast, Heathcote’s confidence is on the rise as Billionair Baby has placed in all four starts on a heavy track while he has two wins from three starts on soft going.