Bartley hoping to fulfil a Group 1 dream

Rebecca Bartley doesn’t think barrier one will suit her harness racing charge Locksley Lover (Love You) in the Aldebaran Park Vicbred Super Series final for four-year-old trotting entires and geldings, but believes the John Nissen-trained squaregaiter has what it takes to land the pair a maiden Group 1 win.

Bartley will take the reins behind Locksley Lover at Melton tomorrow night (Dec. 31), with the horse starting from inside the front row alongside fellow favoured runner Dont Care (two) and noted quick beginner Rogue Gentleman (three).

“To be honest, I just didn’t really think one was ideal for him,” Bartley said.

“Most people would be happy for one, but the pressure is going to be on a little bit early with him. It probably would have been ideal for him to actually draw a little bit wider.

“But we’re in with a shot, so that’s the main thing.”

Bartley said she hoped to settle behind the leader in the run, whoever that may be.

“He just needs time and a bit of room,” Bartley, who sits on 449 career driving wins, said.

“In saying that, when we followed through Mufasa Metro (from barrier eight on November 18 at Melton) he followed through really good that night.

“And he’s getting a lot better in his gait…”

Nissen partnered Locksley Lover in his debut run in late 2020, but Bartley has driven the son of Love You in all of his subsequent 19 starts. Those races have returned eight wins, including a last-start success in a Vicbred heat at Melton on December 22.

Other qualifier winners last week were Brent Lilley-trained Aldebaran Zeus, who is set to run favourite from his barrier eight draw, and Kate Hargreaves’ Dont Care. Ruth Shinn-prepared Aldebaran Dino, who finished second to Dont Care in his heat, is another horse under single figures in the market despite a wide back row starting position.

The Aldebaran Park Vicbred Super Series final for four-year-old trotting entires and geldings is race six on Saturday night’s blockbuster Group 1 card.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV