Trigger and friends living ‘their best life’ after racing

Finding meaningful lives for standardbreds after racing is something Victorian horsewoman Jackie Barker is passionate about – and showcasing a former harness racing superstar Smoken Up (Tinted Cloud) before an adoring crowd at Melton last weekend was, in her words, “very cool”.

Barker, who has been picking up driving engagements for Lance Justice, the former trainer of the pacer known as “Trigger”, said she couldn’t believe her luck when the Justice team asked her to parade the now 15yo before the race named in his honor, the Smoken Up Sprint.

“He felt like a million bucks!” Barker said.

“He was so excited to be back at the track and even when we were walking on the parade ring the more horses that were coming out, the more he was getting up on his toes, doing little half rears, saying ‘let’s get out there’!” she laughed

“They don’t forget and it doesn’t matter how old they get and how fat they get. It’s still raceday to them, and it was such a thrill to show him off to the crowd and let him have a look around.”

The Smoken Up Group Two was a key leadup event to this Saturday’s (Oct. 8) Group One Victoria Cup, the State’s second-richest race and past stars leading out the field has become a much-anticipated highlight of the key features.  At the head of proceedings for the Victoria Cup on Saturday night will be dual Vic Cup winner, Lennytheshark (Four Starzzz Shark) driven by his former trainer David Aiken.

Barker has 319 career wins and has been placed four times at Group One level – but said she had no doubt about the horsepower in front of her in Smoken Up, the 2021 Grand Circuit champ.

“I absolutely remember him and the way he raced – he was ending his career just as I was about ready to start mine and I absolutely remember all those great races that he won. He’s just a star of the sport, he looked and felt magnificent, and it was unbelievable to have the opportunity to drive him,” she said.

Barker and her sister Stacey now operate Monivae Park Standarbreds, a retraining business working independently and as part of the HRV Hero program.

“We’re currently working with Arden Rooney (NZ and Hunter Cup winner), and it’s a thrill to work with one of the really good ones.  But it’s just as rewarding to work with the ones who come through who haven’t raced at all, or haven’t made it on the track.  They’re all special,” she said.

“The standardbreds are just so adaptable to different environments, whether it’s competition showing or just as companion horses.

“Mostly ours tend to go off to show homes, but one of the most memorable was one we placed a couple of years ago with a young woman who had struggles with mental health.

“She had been searching for the right horse and we were working with a beautiful little trotter called Star Gun (18 wins) who was just so placid and calm and a perfect fit for someone who was new to horses.  He’s made the world of difference to her – she says he has absolutely turned her life around.

“It’s really rewarding to see horses that have come off the track, and even if they haven’t made it in a race career, to be part of finding them that perfect home with someone who absolutely adores them.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink