Barker’s breakthrough in SA Cup

Victoria had a successful harness racing raid on South Australia claiming both the Pacing and Trotters Cups on Saturday night.

The Sam Barker-prepared Ultimate Vinnie (Alta Christiano) gave the 26-year-old his first feature win while reinsman Allan McDonough claimed his second consecutive SA Cup.

The reinsman claimed last year’s Cup with the then Emma Stewart-trained Wheres The Gold.

The six-year-old had an easy run through the early stages of the 2645m trip after drawing three and finding the front heading into the first bend.

Barker’s charge continued to rally down the home straight and eventually prevailed by 1.9m.

“It was probably one of the cups I wanted to win because I was born in South Australia,” Barker said.

“On paper we thought we would find the front early. Allan (McDonough) and I talked about it a few times through the week.

“I was pretty confident in his work during the week that he was going to be good and, in my head, I still had doubts.

“It was probably the best moment I have had in harness racing winning a race like that.”

Victoria’s assault on Globe Derby was complete with the Andy Gath-trained Hector and the Maryanne Laffan-prepared Abouttime rounding out the placings.

Experienced reinsman Michael Bellman claimed his second South Australian Trotters Cup as a driver, but first as a trainer when seven-year-old, Jazspur (Pegasus Spur) took out the $40,000 Group 3 event.

After drawing wide on the second row, Bellman’s charge had to come three wide on the final turn to win by a 8.3m with the reinsman raising his whip high in the air as he crossed the line.

“It was very special,” Bellman said. “She has done a really good job for us and it is a great result for her even as a future broodmare to have something like that on her CV.”

The Ararat horseman had to negotiate the race in the early stages after a number of contenders galloped from the standing start.

“She positioned up beautifully and we got past all the interference early and got a good clean get away,” he said.

“We got into a lovely spot and we weren’t far away early and everything fell into place beautifully.

Bellman, 43, has continued to see the seven-year-old progress through the ranks.

“It was only about six-months ago she was belting around in the NR 55 and holding her own and then she has just got into the better style of races, she has kept improving,” he said.

“It is very pleasing to see your horses continue to rise in grade and they keep raising the bar.”

Fellow Victorians Emma Stewart, Kerryn Manning, Scott Ewen, Lochie Cook, Julie Mifsud, Ian McMahon and Greg Norman all had success on SA Cup night.

For complete race results, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria