Barker to lift the bar

Ultimate Vinnie (Alta Christiano) has already given young Ballarat harness racing trainer Sam Barker plenty to be excited about.

He has contested two Group 1s and been placed in a Group 3 as he has raced through the age classics.

Now it is time for Barker to lift the bar, and he has chosen the $35,000 Matthews Petroleum Hamilton Pacing Cup (2160m) on Sunday as Ultimate Vinnie’s first big country assignment.

He is coming off a strong showing in the Vicbred Super Series for four-year-old entires and geldings.

He comfortably worked his way through the early phase with close-up fourths in a heat and semi-final, and then finished eighth to Captain Bellasario in the final on New Year’s Eve.

Barker said he had been rapt with Ultimate Vinnie’s run in the Vicbred Super Series final.

“With a bit of luck he could have finished right up behind them,” he said.

Barker said given Ultimate Vinnie had been going so well, they had decided to press on and give him a few more runs while targeting country cups.

“He’s come on well. He probably improved in the past week,” Barker said.

Ultimate Vinnie has proved a bargain buy – picked up for less than $1000 as a yearling – with $75,000 in earnings from seven wins and 14 placings in 39 starts.

He anchored what has by far been Barker’s most successful season as trainer last year, with five of 18 wins for the stable.

Barker has engaged Jason Lee to take the reins in a race he won with Bad Billy in 2018.

It will be the first time Lee has had the steer on Ultimate Vinnie.

A rejuvenated Kowalski Analysis is favourite to secure a hometown win for trainer David Lewis.

Kowalski Analysis appeared to have the world at his feet as an early four-year-old when he ran second in the 2021 Hamilton Cup, fifth in the Ballarat Cup and was also placed in the 4YO Bonanza, Paleface Adios Stakes and Chariots Of Fire.

However, illness struck and after a long road to recovery, the son of Roll With Joe has rediscovered winning form with three victories on end.

Last year’s Hamilton Cup winner Rackemup Tigerpie is also engaged, but has been struggling.

The 11-race program also features the $20,000 Alexandra House Sports Club Hamilton Trotters Cup (2660m), with outstanding mare Pink Galahs backmarker on 50m behind the likes of Keayang Livana (40m) and Plymouth Chubb (30m).

For complete race entries, click here.

by David Brehaut for HRV