By Matt Markham
He’s got 500 career training wins in sight and current form would suggest Ken Barron is going to get there quickly.
On 496 training wins for his career, the West Melton horseman takes a strong team, along with his training partner and brother Tony, to today’s Timaru twilight meeting as well as having a runner at Waikato, which should see him narrow down the gap between himself and the milestone even more.
With 18 wins on the board for the season thus far, Ken and Tony are making a good first of their first season as training partners.
“It’s been a solid start, nothing spectacular but we’ve achieved a few wins which is nice.
“There’s a nice team of horses there which helps a lot.”
Ken’s training career began in partnership with John Lischner. They picked up 99 wins in three seasons of training.
12 seasons on his own accord followed for 379 wins before the new partnership kicked off back in August.
Today they line up eight runners in total.
Four of them come at Timaru and they’re headlined by promising trotter, Arnold.
A big winner on debut, the three-year-old steps up into the C1 grade but has shown enough to suggest that a repeat performance is potentially on the cards.
“He’s got a bit of a motor, we think he could do a pretty good job but it’s always tough stepping up in grade.”
Reaza Grunter would be a deserving winner if she was able to break maidens.
The dour mare has put in some big performances off the second row unruly draw recently and it’s only a matter of time before that elusive win comes her way.
“We probably need to get her off the unruly, then she will win a race.
“In saying that she’s going good enough that if things went her way then she would be a pretty good chance this week.”
Miss Fandango and Red Ranger round out the team at Timaru while up in Waikato, American Princess will give a good sight after a good run against the more experienced horses on New Years’ Eve at Alexandra Park.
Timaru Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Tuscany Miss, Lets Rocknroll, Jimmy Nga, Blue Chip Lad
Race 2: Sky City King, Nearis Green, Time Traveller, Diamond Life
Race 3: Extreme Guest, Sans Le Sou, Booster, Remiss
Race 4: Chevron Express, Arranalea, No Fears, Paradise Spur
Race 5: Culley Backy, Bailey’s Rock, Distinctive Del, The Valiant
Race 6: Bonnie Joan, Aymar, Pat Campbell, Shards Halo
Race 7: Christopher Banner, Smithy, Linton Shard, Ultimate Fella
Race 8: Arnold, Beg For Chevron, Debaneyre, Missie Castleton
Race 9: Novak, Reaza Grunter, Lanikai, Bettor Under Fire
Race 10: Bailey’s Knight, Red Ranger, Sparkling Delight, Letsgotothehop
Best Bet: Novak (Race 9)
Value: Sky City King (Race 2)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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