200/1 outsider steals the show in G3 feature

Easygoing Daylesford harness racing trainer Michael Barby was probably one of a very few not left scratching his head when three-year-old trotting filly Amour Maternal blew her rivals out of the water at 200/1 in a Group Three feature at Bendigo this week.

“The horse has greatly improved her work at home over the past month. I think it’s all about confidence because she’s really starting to put it together,” Barby said.

“It’s definitely the longest priced winner I’ve ever had! I’m not a punter so it doesn’t matter much, but I wasn’t altogether surprised she went as well as she did,” he said.

“That was probably the best I’ve seen her trot though, so our farrier Tony Dillon will be pleased. He’s been altering and adjusting her shoes, so I think he’s got them spot on now.”

Barby said his wife (driver Anne-Maree Conroy) deserved plenty of accolades also for the success.

Conroy made the most of a pole position draw with Amour Maternal (Love You (FRA)-My Valerie (NZ) Majestic Son), going straight to the top and running a strong half of 62 secs before then winding things up a little to 29.3 and 29.5 for a mile rate of 1.59-8. It was a daring, catch-me-if-you-can front-running drive.

“She got in front so she could dictate and she kept the horse balanced,” he said.

Barby, who has been based at Daylesford for over 15 years, said the couple had approached Pat Driscoll and Anton Golino, of Yabby Dam Farms, to see if they could lease a couple of square-gaiters.

“We’re so grateful to have the opportunity to get our hands on some outstanding bred horses because we couldn’t afford to buy horses of this calibre at the sales,” Barby said.

“It was around Christmas time two years ago and Pat and Anton have been terrific. They explained to us that the horses we got were a bit immature and might take some time to get there.

“But we are quite happy to poke along and be patient. Anton was the first one to come up and congratulate us at Bendigo when Amour Maternal won, which was nice.”
Barby said the first one the couple raced was Quake Proof who is shaping up to be a lovely horse.

“He’s won three or four races and we like him a lot. He’s only going to get better. The next one from Yabby Dam Farms was Lutetia who has won one race and also goes along okay,” he said.

Amour Maternal nearly doubled her career earnings with Tuesday night’s win in the G3 Woodlands Stud Breeders Crown Series 23 3YO Silver Trot-the winning stakes of $10,000 catapulted her career earnings to $21,245.

Barby trains five or six horses at his place, while Anne-Maree goes nearby to the stables of her late father, legendary horseman Bob, and works a team of about a dozen with her brothers Glenn and Peter.

“If Amour Maternal can keep going up a rung she just might be competitive in the coming Sires races next month. Then we’ll send her out for a spell,” Barby said.

And for the record, Amour Maternal (which means spiritual emotion of maternal love) paid $207 for a win on the tote and $23.60 for a place. The quinella (no’s 1 and 7) was $113; the trifecta (no’s 1, 7 and 9) paid $11,605 and the pick four (no’s 1, 7, 9 and 6) returned $10,045.

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink