Just when Brisbane trainer Robert Heathcote didn’t think his day could get any better after stable favourite Rothfire won the $2million Group III ATC Sydney Stakes at Randwick, it did with bonny mare Abounding taking out the Group II MRC Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

While many felt leading South Australian breeder Harry Perks would provider the winner of Saturday’s Listed SAJC Hill Smith Stakes (1800m), it was the outsider of his trio that took the race, as 3yo Ghaiyyath filly Freedom Flame proved too strong in the run to the line at Morphettville.