The Hamilton-based Barker harness racing team has been enjoying a nice run of success this season, but a win this week is sure to be a standout for some time to come.
At 12 years of age, bay gelding Irishmurphy (Dream Away-Crossmaglen (Beach Towel)) was not only the oldest horse in the Decron Pace at Horsham on Monday afternoon, but he was also totally ignored in the betting starting a 70/1 outsider.
āHeās still got a bit to offer because heās very sound and obviously still has a zest to win,ā elated reinsman Rod Barker said.
āI reckon we got headed at one point up the home straight. But heās so honest, without being a star, and wouldnāt give up. He just kept kicking to the line.
āHe has his near side eye blocked up so he couldnāt see the ones on his inside. But when some came at him down the outside, they were in his view, and he did dig in.ā
IRISHMURPHY REPLAY
Irishmurphy, trained by Rodās father and legendary horseman Jim, has now won seven races, adding to victories at Maryborough, Wedderburn, St Arnaud, Melton, Terang and Mt Gambier ā the Horsham victory was his third for 2022, with the veteran pacer failing to weigh in only once in 11 starts this season.
āWeāve worked out that after four or five runs, itās best to toss him out for 10 days and keep him fresh. Itās something that works well on the old fellas because they know their way around the racetrack!ā Barker said.
āRussell Cook, who part-owns the horse with six others, was training him up near Ballarat. When he had to have a back operation, he gave up the horses.
āWe were training another horse which some of them had shares in. When they came up to look at it, they asked if we could take on some of the others.
āWeāll have a go, we said! And itās worked out well because Irishmurphy is easy to work.ā
Barker said while he doesnāt have many drives these days, he still thoroughly enjoys it.
āIām the second stringer behind one of our daughters in Jackie. But Iām okay with that because sheās driving really good,ā he said.
āJackie and a nephew of mine in Chris Walsh do most of the fastwork with our team, while I tend to concentrate on the breakers. Weāre doing a team of about 20 and thereās eight or nine babies so weāre kept busy.ā
Barker used to travel the length and breadth of the State years ago when he was in big demand as a freelance driver. He was always regarded as a patient driver, who would coax the best out of his charges.
He now has driven 1285 wins for more than $3.5M in stakes.
by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink