Travelling man coming up trumps

Victorian horseman David Barbetti is “hitting the road” at the moment and enjoying a purple patch of harness racing success.

In the space of four weeks, Barbetti, of Burrumbeet, 20kms west of Ballarat, has come up trumps at three different tracks—with three different horses.

Barbetti, a trainer-driver who has had a long involvement in the sport, landed his latest winner at Hamilton on Monday afternoon (May 16) with Kiwi Kalahari (Auckland Reactor-Autumn Princess (What’s Next), a gelding from the breeding barn of respected horseman Geoff Dodd.

Autumn Princess was the dam of 12 horses to get to the track—undoubtedly the standout being Albert Albert-sired pacer Captain Kalahari, a winner of 16 races and 14 placings for $195K. Others included Safari Breeze (Albert Albert) 16 wins for $176K; Kalahari Prince (Live Or Die) seven wins and Bella Bronski (Major Bronski) four wins.

Barbetti has now recorded five wins and 13 placings from 61 starts with Kiwi Kalahari, but the six-year-old wasn’t wanted by punters at Hamilton and went out a 19/1 chance.

After enjoying a comfortable run in the one-one, Kiwi Kalahari made a sustained run and proved too strong for his rivals in 1.59-4 for the 1660m trip.

Watch the replay here.

Three weeks earlier, a trip to Stawell saw Barbetti win with Littleblabbamouth (Tell All-Turbo Elly (Village Jasper) in the VHRC-APG Bonus Race Series 3yo Maiden Pace.

After dictating terms in front, they scooted away courtesy of a 28.7sec final quarter to account for Letsdancetilldawn and Hartnett.

Barbetti travelled to Melton a month ago with bay gelding Radius (Art Major-Stones From Heaven (Stonebridge Scooter) and combined with Charlton concession driver Ryan Sanderson, who is on fire, to win the $20,000 Alabar VicBred Pace.

Radius was sent out a $10 chance and accounted for the favorite Eva Mateo (Jackie Barker).

Barbetti has prepared eight winners for the season with 10 placings from 60 starters. He has 235 career wins and a massive 600 placings as a trainer, while as a driver he’s got 239 victories.

And Barbetti has a chance to add to these figures tomorrow night (May 19) at Kilmore where he has Sheldon (Maffioso-For Sevens Sake (Aces N Sevens) going around in race 10. In pre-post markets the pacer is quoted a $26 chance.

For full Kilmore race entries, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink