Barwon finally justifies potential stayer status

Little wonder as Williams won more than $8.3 million with two of Barwon’s close relations – Zipping ($4.5 million) and Fawkner ($3.8 million).

Barwon is by unbeaten Group 1 winner Reset whose Group 1 winning progeny include Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner, Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker and dual Victoria/South Australia Derbies winner Rebel Raider while his dam, the Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) mare Kanetoshi Peko, is a half-sister to Zipping whose winning race tally of 16 traces includes the Group 1 Australian Cup and four consecutive Group 2 Sandown Classics (now renamed the Zipping Classic). He was also twice runner-up in the Cox Plate and ran fourth three times in the Melbourne Cup.

However, it’s taken a further four years and a change from Melbourne to Cairns for Barwon to claim the crown as Far North Queensland’s top Up and Coming Stayer.

Developed by the Far North region race clubs, the Magic Millions/Far North Qld/Up and Coming Stayers Points Series is a group of races with above standard prize money, specifically programmed to cater for racehorses rated less than Open class. The Series does not culminate in a final, but provides bonuses based on points accrued in the eight races

The final race in the series was a 2100m handicap held at Cairns on Tuesday, July 17 where  Barwon, ridden by Kirk Stone, dug deep to claim the 2018 prize by one point.

Barwon only raced once in Williams colours for an unplaced 2YO start at Caulfield before on-sold to clients of Mornington trainers David and Coral Feek. Living up to his staying potential Barwon won up to 2200m at Pakenham and ran second in the 2800m Singapore Turf Club Trophy at Flemington before training off. A subsequent change of trainer to Steven Pateman also proved fruitless before he was acquired by Cairns trainer Rodney Miller. 

The Cairns Post reports Miller had worked with three Melbourne Cup winners for Williams in Victoria but rated Barwon’s triumph in the Up and Coming Stayers series as his career highlight. “It is an ex-Lloyd Williams horse so it makes it better. It is the best win I have had in my short training career. I set him for this series,” Miller said.

Stayers Series Points:

HORSE: Barwon 8 points; Beach Head 7; Cashed Up Bully and We Just Love It 5.

TRAINER: Rodney Miller 8; Sharlee D’Avila 7; John Manzelmann 6.

JOCKEY: Kirk Stone 7; Nor Yadi and Bonnie Thomson 6; Wanderson D’Avila and Nathan Day 4.

FAR North Queensland galloper Platinum Tycoon took his earnings past $100,000 by winning the inaugural Race To the Reef series final/Heatley Lightning Open Handicap held at Townsville on Saturday, July 21.

Winner of 10 of his 21 starts, Platinum Tycoon qualified for the final by winning his heat at Cairns on June 11. In fact, the 1000m sprint final victory was his fifth win in six starts this campaign while the $18,000 winner’s cheque took his prizemoney earnings past $100,000. 

A 4YO gelding by Written Tycoon from the Beautiful Crown (USA) mare Platinum Ruby, Platinum Tycoon is trained by Atherton-based Michael Lee who is also listed as the co-breeder/owner.

A $42,000 yearling at the 2006 Inglis Classic yearling sale, Platinum Ruby was originally trained by Gerald Ryan who won three races with her at Kembla Grange and Wyong before she was on-sold to Michael Lee. After two unplaced starts, the 4YO mare was retired and for her second mating was sent to Written Tycoon when he stood the 2012 season in Queensland. 

THIRTEEN nominations have been received for the second Race To Roma series final to be held at Roma this Saturday, July 28.

Separate to the recent successful Battle of the Bush series, Racing Queensland also organised three regional series. They are:

The 1640m final carries $30,000 prize money with the winner receiving $18,300. The series involved six qualifying heats. The winners were:

GLENLOGAN Park's 4-time Group 1-winning stallion Show A Heart (Brave Warrior/Miss Sandman) added a black-type success when 4YO gelding Fit For Purpose (Show A Heart/Gag Order) sprinted strongly along the rails to claim his first stakes win in the Listed Tattersall's Mile (1600m) at Doomben on Saturday, July 21.

A $14,000 purchase from the 2015 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Fit For Purpose improved his record to six wins and five placings from 18 starts for $246,150 in earnings.

Virtually retired from stud duties, the rising 21YO Show A Heart served 17 mares last season however in his heyday he covered books of more than 100 mares in his first 10 seasons at stud. Fit for Purpose becomes his 21st stakes winner with his progeny also including Group 1 winners Toorak Toff, Woorim and Heart Of Dreams.  

QUEENSLAND Derby winner Dark Dream will probably continue his racing career overseas after being sold to Hong Kong interests at the weekend.

By All American from the Lion Hunter mare Buchanan Girl, 3YO gelding Dark Dream follows in the footsteps of fellow Queensland Derby winners Ruthven (2017) and Eagle Way (2016) to be sold to Hong Kong. Formerly trained by Kembla Grange-based Kerry Parker, Dark Dream has started 10 times for four wins and six placings from 10 starts for $596,000 in earnings.

A Group 1 winning son of Red Ransom (USA), All American is also the sire of dual Group 1 winning filly Yankee Rose while ill-fated Queensland-bred Lion Hunter is the maternal grandsire of more than 400 winners including notable Group 1 winners Chautauqua and Star Witness.

Aushorse web news reports NSW breeder and owner, Mary Jane Basson, was having a coffee at the Inglis Newmarket complex in Sydney during the 2011 Australian Easter Broodmare Sale when a Lion Hunter mare, Buchanan Girl, was going through the ring. “I had no real intention of buying that mare, or any other for that matter, but she was such a lovely type. I got her for $800,” Basson explains.

Although Buchanan Girl was ‘empty’ at the time, she had produced two foals – both by Choisir – which were unraced. Since that fateful coffee break however, the Choisir duo have won 10 races between them.

Basson decided to send Buchanan Girl to All American, producing a grey filly, who would sadly be struck by lightning and was killed. Having liked – albeit briefly – what she saw with the filly, Basson determined to send Buchanan Girl back to All American in the spring of 2013 (advertised fee: $16,500) and this time ended up with Dark Dream.

“What are the chances of getting hit by a direct strike of lightning?” Basson mused. “Probably about the same chances of winning a Derby!”

THE Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) and the Queensland Racehorse Owners Association (QROA) have established a ‘Connections House’ at Doomben racecourse.

Located opposite the main betting ring, Connections House is exclusively available on race days for owners and large winning groups.

To be admitted, an owner must be ticketed on the day as a registered owner of a horse running that day. This ticket will also allow the registered owner(s) to receive a complimentary beverage and food item. 

BRC CEO Dave Whimpey said: “The Board and Management are extremely proud of this initiative as we truly value our owners.  As an owner and travelling interstate to the southern clubs, I was amazed at how the Melbourne Clubs look after their owners with complimentary snacks and beverages.

“We have had a 39 percent increase year on year with owners attending our great club. We now service more than 600 owners, on average, every Saturday swelling to 1700 on Group 1 days.  This new room and fit-out is first class. Owners can now exclusively have their own space to comingle and talk tactics and have a cold one on us. Licensed trainers are also welcome,” he said.

QROA president Vince Pennisi said: “The QROA motto ‘no racing without owners’ is a truism, so the BRC are to be congratulated on this marvellous new initiative which recognises the amazing contribution owners make to the industry.”