Trots Centre: Rothacker's mare the latest in a Long family line

Family ties run deep on Robert Rothacker’s farm, with the Serpentine trainer not only operating from the home that was the birthplace of his famed uncle Gordon, but his runner at Bendigo tonight also a stunning seven generations in the making.

Longasuloveme will have her third career start in tonight’s Alabar Bloodstock Pace, with trainer Rothacker and reinsman Brian Gath hoping to replicate her last start maiden victory.

“Whenever you breed one and have it from day one it’s a thrill to get a win from them,” he said.

Seeing them through from foal to finish line has long been Rothacker’s method, carrying on the family’s tradition passed from grandpa Bill to Bill's sons Gordon and Albert, who are Robert’s uncle and father respectively.

“I live in the house where (Gordon) grew up as a child and just finished renovating it, so it’s good for another 50 years,” Rothacker said.

It was also, unsurprisingly, those same paternal influences who initiated his harness racing breeding and training career, with the first mare he owned being Cem’s Brook, who was given to him by his grandpa Bill.

It would prove fortuitous for Rothacker, with Cem’s Brook’s third foal being Brook Adios, who he said won 18 races in 18 months.

Cem's Brook would also give him Raffaella. The winning mare’s second foal (by Windshield Wiper) would be filly La Isla Bonita, whose first foal (by Booth Hanover) would be three-time winner Giardelli, whose first foal (by Exotic Earl) would be four-time winner Rachelanne, whose second foal (by Denver Gift) would be four-time winning mare Aniteattheopera.

The latter’s first foal was Repeat After Me, winner of 109 starts and $180,980, and her third foal is Longasuloveme, who steps out at Echuca tonight.

“Just about every horse I’ve raced I’ve bred myself,” Rothacker said, with Longasuloveme having kick-started her racing career at age four, running eighth on debut at Kilmore before a last start win at Bendigo.

“I didn’t want to rush her. Uncle Gordon and Dad and Grandpa said a horse will tell you when they are ready to start racing,” he said.

“She was probably only having about her third preparation when she won at Bendigo. She might have been in work for five or six months before she even got to the races, but it’s all a learning curve and a lot more difficult when you work them alone.”

While Longasuloveme hasn’t raced since her July 8 win after contracting a rash, Rothacker remains upbeat about her first two visits to the track.

“Brian drove her (at) Kilmore and he looked after her,” he said. “She went all right, it was a 2100-metre race and she got a little check on straigtening but then she knuckled down and got going again.

“(Second up at Bendigo) he hunted her out a bit and then dropped in behind the leader. He then went up the inside and won the race.”

He said the victory was a great “thrill”, made all the better by being able to share it with his legendary reinsman, who has a similarly famous and storied surname.

“I’ve had a lot of fun with Brian over the years. He gives a horse every chance and is an icon.”

Tonight Rothacker hopes for a forward showing, with Longasuloveme to start from gate four, directly outside likely favourite Exciteusrubycee.

“He’ll probably come out steady and just see what’s happening in the first 100 yards, get in a handy position and see how things go.”

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