Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
What a couple of days Tony Barron is in for.
Tonight his superstar mare Queen Elida will front up in the $600,000 TAB Trot as part of Cambridge’s massive Night of Champions, 24 hours after her half sister Queen Kizen won on debut at Addington last night.
The outsider in just a four-horse field, Queen Kizen (What The Hill – Queen Kenny) started safely in the Woodlands Weanlings are Group 1 Winners Mobile Trot for the 2YO Fillies and took the trail behind favourite Nobilo.
John Morrison bided his time before peeling out around the home bend. He reeled in the leader before going on to win by more than two lengths.
“She had never won a workout or trial so it was a bit of a surprise on race day,” trainer Barron told Harness Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong post race.
“But she’s a lovey filly who’s beautifully gaited.”
As well as the winning stake ($8250), Queen Kizen’s connections also picked up the $12,000 Entain 2YO Bonus.
Barron co-bred and races the filly with Gordon McKenzie. They are the same combo, along with other family members, that race Queen Elida (Love You – Queen Kenny), who has now won 34 races and nearly $850,000.
“This one (Queen Kizen) is a dead ringer to Elida,” says Barron, “you would think they were full sisters.”
“If she’s a quarter as good I’d be happy.”
Tonight the Australian-based Queen Elida fronts up against the likes of Just Believe, Callmethebreeze, Arcee Phoenix and Kiwi stars Muscle Mountain and Oscar Bonavena in the first ever TAB Trot.
As the only mare in the race ($18FF) she will start from the ace over 2200 metres.
“It’s a superstar field,” says Barron, and “if she can run in the top five I’d be rapt.”
Another highlight last night was the Robert and Jenna Dunn trained Neverseentherain and driver John Dunn winning the Congratulations Robert Dunn 2000 Wins Mobile Pace. Robert Dunn brought up the milestone when Got The Chocolates won last Sunday.
And Foveaux Gambler, driven by Sheree Tomlinson, won the opening heat in the new Canterbury Plains Challenge Series in a spirited finish with Wriggles Rufus.
The series is designed for 5YO and older pacers rated R35 to R39 with 10 heats, each worth $12,500, between now and Ashburton on May 12. The series will culminate in a $30,000 final at Addington on May 17.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
