Always B Miki filly wins on debut, just like mum

More than eleven years ago two-year-old Bettor’s Delight filly Jumpforjoy won on debut over a mile at Winton for trainer Clark Barron, and her daughter Feelthejoy did exactly the same today at the Winton Harness Racing Club meeting.

Feelthejoy and Ellie Barron

From gate four driver Ellie Barron pushed the fast forward button and Feelthejoy reached the lead without too much effort.

“It wasn’t a surprise. The breed’s got a bit of natural ability,” said trainer Clark Barron when discussing the filly’s explosive gate speed.

Feelthejoy four from the inside, leaving the gate just after the 1609 start point

Cool Idea, which was parked wide early, rolled forward and took over as pacemaker with Feelthejoy dropping into the trail. At the 600 Cool Idea put a small break on the field and this allowed Barron to opt for an outside run at the leader.

When Ellie got the filly balanced Feelthejoy let down nicely to win by a length and a half from Schiavone, running the 1609 metre journey in 1-57.3.

Stretching out to win

“She’s a laidback filly and we thought after the way she trialled that when she got to the races she might lift again, which she did. She doesn’t care about anything, which is a good sign.”

Trainer Clark Barron, Feelthejoy and Ellie Barron

Feelthejoy has had four workouts and three trials and Barron said “She’s been well educated around the workouts, and we thank Brent (Barclay who drove her) for that, so he gets all the credit. He stood down and let Ellie on today.”

Feelthejoy’s dam Bettors Delight mare Jumpforjoy won her first race as a two-year-old on the Winton track in March 2010. She went on to win seven races, including four in a row as a three-year-old. She won the 2011 Group Two Southland Oaks and ran third in the Three-Year-Old Diamond at the 2011 Harness Jewels at Ashburton.

Feelthejoy is Jumpforjoy’s fourth foal and fourth winner. She’s left Somejoy, the winner of eight from just twenty starts, and Jumpingjackmac who won seven of his ten starts in Australia. He also ran second in the Group One West Australian Derby. The mare’s other foal Allaboutjoy won one race from a handful of starts.

The win today also enhances the growing reputation of Feelthejoy’s sire Always B Miki.

“We originally sent Jumpforjoy to Art Major, but he got injured and wasn’t serving mares for a time, so we sent her to Always B Miki. I’ve now sent quite a few mares to him.”

After Feelthejoy’s impressive debut today Barron is hopeful that two-year-old racing will get off the ground in the province before Christmas.

“I thought about giving her a start or two and aiming her at some races next year – races like the Southland Oaks.”

Barron says Feelthejoy has plenty of maturing to do.

“Mentally she’s just like a schoolgirl. You don’t like getting too carried away but most out of this family keep improving.”

Feelthejoy is owned by Miracle Lodge which is Clark Barron and Eric Parr.

Meanwhile Canterbury trainer Michael House, a great supporter of Southern Harness racing, won three of the eight race card today at Winton, with winners Doctor Lavros, Sir Brigadoon and Midnight In Memphis.

Doctor Lavros (3) winning his first race in a tight finish

Returning to the birdcage

Other winners today included Lauries Legacy with her second win in a row for Oamaru trainer driver Brad Williamson, and Tartan Roxy who further enhanced the growing reputation of up-and-coming young trainer Chelsea Faithful.

Lauries Legacy winning under a hold

Tartan Roxy winning for Sarah O’Reilly

by Bruce Stewart