Hilary leads them, throws a shoe, and shows she’s not made of glass
By Barry Lichter • 25 November 2018
Like Cinderella fleeing the ball, Hilary Barry lost one of her slippers at Pukekohe yesterday, so fast was she skipping along.
And that made the run by the Bettor’s Delight filly even more creditable as she finished a close-up third in the two-year-old mile trial for driver Zachary Butcher.
“She ripped off one of her shoes about halfway round,’’ says trainer Ray Green. “Zac said he had to nurse her along after that so she’s gone really well.”
Hilary Barry, who hinted at what was to come when powering home the previous week, was given her head at the start by Butcher, and showed impressive speed to cross over from six on the gate.
She never put a foot wrong from then on despite throwing the shoe and, while nabbed late by Miss Shuga and Emmber, beaten two heads, she fought on well.
Hilary Barry … a real tradesman.“She was getting a bit tired - that’s the fastest she’s ever gone - but Zac didn’t really drive her out.”
The time for the mile was a slick 2:04, the fastest recorded so far by the new season’s juveniles at Pukekohe, with closing splits of 59.1 and 27.9.
“She’s not a real speedster, she’s tradesman-like, and is a real trier.’’
Green says he won’t be nominating Hilary Barry for the season’s first two-year-old race in the north on Friday night.
“There’s plenty of time for her. But I will put in my three who trialled on Friday night (Sir Tiger, Man Of Action and Perfect Stride) and see if they can get a field together.’’
Hilary Barry has made excellent progress at the workouts in the last few weeks since her initial blip when she galloped in two heats, heavily in season and then losing a hopple carrier strap.
More news in Harness
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Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
