NZ HARNESS NEWS
Des Baynes, the man who broke-in and gaited Young Quinn, was to the fore at Winton on Sunday afternoon with his first bag of three winners – Gotta Minute, Quartz and Bettor Buy It.
In earlier days, Baynes worked on the Otama stud of his Uncle Colin and, as the story goes, was offered a free service to Young Charles instead of a pay rise. Baynes borrowed the broodmare Loyal Trick from his father Bud, and Young Quinn was the result.
When Young Quinn went to the United States in the mid-1970s, it was just the beginning of Baynes’ association with the country.
“I went a few times and took horses with Geoff Gibson-Smith,” Baynes said.
“When a horse found it’s mark here there was always a race for them there. The cost of shipping has slowed that.”
Based at Edendale when he trained his first winner, Young Cherie, at Invercargill in October 1979, Baynes later moved to the property he still farms about 15 kilometres from Winton.
The triple triumphs took his career tally to 128 wins.
Bettor Buy it is raced by the Test Syndicate, which includes Baynes and other players from an Edendale club rugby team of the past.
A promising three-year-old four seasons ago, Bettor Buy It ran seventh in Locharburn’s Derby.
Next start he damaged a tendon in the Southern Supremacy Stakes and didn’t race again for more than two years.
Prepared for his comeback by Greg and Nina Hope on the beach in Canterbury, he won a junior’s race at the Kurow meeting in 2016. Sunday’s was his first since.
“The Hopes found he wasn’t competitive at Addington so we brought him home,” Baynes said.
“He is a good doer and we didn’t want to work him too hard so have changed his diet and training.
“It seems to have worked.”
In this regard, Baynes praised the input of his assistant, fellow Winton licence-holder Ian Jamieson.
“We’re going to have to look at Country Cup races now. He’s not 100 percent from a stand so we’ll concentrate on that before his next start.”
Four-year-old Gotta Minute, is from Jay Bees Snap.
The two were offered by Nevele R at auction, Baynes liked the family and secured them for $1200. Despite being described by Baynes as “pretty useless” when a three-year old, the son of Badlands Hanover won in March at is 11th start.
“He’s a lot stronger now,” Baynes said.
Quartz is a six-year-old and didn’t start racing until February this year, and was having just his third race day outing.
“He has had crook feet but this year they have been okay,” said Baynes.”
Alan Beck was the winning driver of all three.
- NZ Harness News
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