Barclay excited about Duchess

It takes a bit to get experienced Southland horseman Brent Barclay excited, but he is genuinely excited about Duchess Of Kent (Art Major) after her win at Ascot Park today.

DUCHESS OF KENT REPLAY

Trained at Winton by Barclay’s partner Lauren Pearson, Duchess Of Kent is out of Galleons Honour and was bred by the late Lester Smith.

As a broodmare Galleons Honour has done a super job, leaving the high class pacers Duke Of Wellington and Duke Of Cornwall.

“Before Lester passed I said to him that she’s the best one of them, even though she got beaten at two. I told him she’d get better and she has,” Barclay said.

Barclay has been around long enough to know that the next step will indicate where she sits in the three year old ranks.

“She’s getting better which is good and I think more racing will get her up there.”

In today’s Diamond Creek Farm/SBSR Silk Road Final, Barclay pushed Duchess Of Kent out from barrier six to lead. Heading into the first bend he handed up to Joyride.

At the end of the 2200 metres there was a head between Duchess Of Kent and Joyride with one and three quarter lengths back to Just Like Jagger whose run was enormous.

“She’s just got a beautiful gait and really does her work easy. And getting those good runs (trailing the leaders in her last two starts as well,) is a plus.”

The winning time was 2-41.1 which was very good for this time of year.

And she raced with her ear plugs out for the majority of the race.

“They actually fell out just after the start. But she’s a relaxed filly that doesn’t get geed up.”

So what’s next for this exciting Southern filly?

“We’ve got nothing really planned for her. She’ll have a week or two off now. We just take it day to day. We may look at the Nevele R heats at the end of August and may send her up to Bob Butt.”

Duchess Of Kent is raced by the LJ Smith Estate and Lester’s widow Julia and his son Matt were on-course to see the filly win her third race in a row.

“I’m stoked for them. The horse is definitely not for sale. They’re going to breed from her. We’ve turned down a couple of big offers in the last couple of weeks.”

Lester Smith also bred The Janitor which was very brave when running second in last night’s $300,000 The Rising Sun.

The Janitor was developed by Pearson and Barclay who qualified him at Winton in November 2023.

“When we sold him I said to the guys that bought him that he’ll get better. He’s just done a huge job. When Leap To Fame goes away someone’s got to take his spot (laughter).”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink