10 July 2023 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Oatlands-based owner, trainer, driver and breeder Brett Bailey recorded his first winner since December 2021, when five-year-old mare Miss Barty scored in the Fiona Duggan Appreciation Pace in Launceston on Sunday night.
The mare ended up one-out and two-back in the middle stages of the 2200m event, before progressing into the race off the track from the 700m.
Miss Barty ($9) swept to the lead at the 400m and was able to hold off her rivals over the concluding stages for a four-metre win over Chris Be Quick ($31) and Cinocal Jamane ($3.70 fav).
“I didn’t want to go that early, but I had to,” said Bailey who had been happy with the pacers’ recent racing.
“I actually thought she would have won last week if she had got out, but we ended up running sixth.
“She hadn’t been running bad but a lot of the time we have been stuck behind tiring horses or we haven’t got a run.
“Hopefully, if I can stick to races like tonight, or those no more than two lifetime win races, I think she will be able to pick up another one.
“She just lacks the speed to be a good horse,” said Bailey about the only runner he has in work.
Earlier in the night, Kivik ($4.40 fav) won his sixth race of the season.
Reinsman Brodie Davis had to overcome a wide draw on the second-row draw over the 1680m trip, and he did so with confidence, launching three and four-wide from the 900m.
“The draw was ideal for him,” said trainer Rachel Williams post-race.
“What we have learned with him is that he hates the hustle and bustle of the front row, he just seems to prefer to settle and then work into the race.
“He has just matured (this season) and got his confidence back. Physically and mentally, he is a happy horse,” the trainer explained.
“This is what small trainers can do, we can spend that bit of extra time with them and sort them out.
“We will just try and pick the races now he is getting up in the ratings, and with Ben Parker out of action (after a recent operation), we will try and use Brodie and his claim as much as we can.
“I would love to have him in the country cups, but we have got to have him qualified from a stand, which I think we can do.
“I would love to have another Goggo Gee Gee in that aspect,” said Williams.
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