Barry ticks a big one off bucket list

Colac harness racing hobbyist Michael Barry says he knew from an early age that horses would play a big part in his life.

“My late dad Charlie was originally a jockey at Mt Gambier way back in the 1950s, so I had it in my blood,” he said.

“But we’ve had some fun over the years and recently I saw a dream come true by getting my first Melton winner with Citysiren.

“I was pretty rapt with that. I finished second once before with Imagoldcloud (Cullens Hope – Imacoolcloud (Sovereign Cloud).”

Six-year-old bay mare Citysiren (Mr Feelgood-Ima Golden Girl (Fake Left) led all the way to take out the Benstud Standardbreds Pace at bolter’s odds of 20/1. Talented young reinswoman Codi Rauchenberger was the winning driver.

The pacer is owned by Barry and a group of friends in Daniel Lewis, Jim Watterson, and brothers Michael, Gerard and Peter Hickey.

Barry said he began training with his dad at Mt Gambier “a fair while ago”.

“Dad’s brother Graham had an interest in a grey pacer called Lucky Spar that used to go along okay. I think it was because of this that got dad involved in harness racing,” he said.

Lucky Spar (Adios Cloud-Wistful (Derby Whist) won seven races and had 15 placings back in the 1980s.

“We also ended up with a few of the ‘Manwarra’ horses back in the day. They went along pretty well.”

Barry said he shifted to Colac about 20 years ago.

“I had a horse out at Dick Lee’s property for a few years, but we train at the local track in town now. It’s 740 metres and there’s two or three of us stabled there. We’ve got some shelters and yards and live up the road only five minutes away. A few others come in to do their fastwork,” he said.

“I work as a delivery driver for Reece Plumbing and each day drive up the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay and Lorne. My job starts at 7am so I’m back doing the horses late in the afternoon.

“I’m very lucky that young Ryan Blunden gives me a helping hand. Ryan has eventing experience and lives in town.

“One of our sons Andrew also has a stable hand licence. He’s studying mechatronics engineering and hasn’t a lot of spare time, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he thinks about race driving one day.

“Years ago, I drove a bit and I had a few placings, but I think you have to be doing it often to get anywhere. We’ve all been very happy with the way Codi has been handling the horse because previously she hadn’t been all that good off the gate.”

Barry said his passion was supported by his wife Tanya and the couple’s other son Peter, who recently joined the Army and has shares in a few horses, and their daughter Allison, who lives in Melton and attends meetings whenever she can.

“Allison did the pony trots and drove a double at a Mt Gambier meeting with the same horse. They would run two events and re-handicap the first winner.

“I have fond memories of going to meetings with four ponies and two racehorses. Our nephews and nieces were right into the pony trots as well.”

Barry is understandably proud of his nephew Steven Fennell, who prepares a strong team at Mt Gambier.

“He races his own team in the colors of my father. I was chuffed when he told me he was going to use his grandpa’s old colors.

“I’ve been shoeing since I was 20 and do all my own so occasionally Steven will ask for advice and we share stuff regularly.

“I tell everyone I taught him everything he knows! But seriously he does a really good job.”

*Hoofnote: Citysiren followed up with a 20-metre frontrunning win at Terang on Wednesday night.

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink