Barron team looking to warm up winter

West Melton trainer Ken Barron will be looking for ‘winter rewards’ from his team of six at harness racing headquarters Addington, tomorrow night (Thursday 27^th July).

The night is peppered with $20,000 Winter Reward races so there are plenty of incentives to have the team primed.

The Barron runner Toby Tom B (Highview Tommy) got a nice trip on debut two weeks ago. The three year old hit the front halfway down the straight before getting run down by a fast finishing Spirit Of Anarchy (Downbytheseaside). He gets an outside draw (9) in Race One.

“He goes pretty good. The other day he had a good draw and got a good run and was beaten by a better horse on the day. He’s been working well and has improved with the run. With the wider draw on Thursday, it’ll make it tougher, but I think he’s a genuine chance,” Sam Thornley said on behalf of the Barron Stable.

In Race Four Barron lines up two runners – Izia (Majestic Son) and Sebastian Coe (Sebastian K).

In a capacity field Izia starts off the ten metre mark. She hit the front early in the run home last week and was run down for third.

“She’s been going well lately, is a very consistent horse and her gait is pretty good at the moment. With the right trip she’ll be a place chance.”

The well-bred Sebastian Coe also starts off the ten metre mark but off the unruly. He was run down late at his last start by Top Pocket Chance (Washington VC).

“If he trots all the way he’s a good chance as well. He’s quite a nice horse but his gait lets him down a bit. The way he went the other day he seems to be coming right. Take him on trust.”

In the Hydroflow 2023 Winter Rewards Mobile Pace (Race Five) Ken has Black Mach (Mach Three) starting from gate seven. He put up a long sustaining run at his last start and stuck on for fifth.

“He’s been going bloody well but hasn’t had any luck lately. I thought I’d run him with a sit the other day and he came home pretty well. The 2600 will suit him. He’s a great stayer and tougher than most horses in that field. If he gets any sort of luck, he’ll be a good chance.”

In Race Nine Barron lines up last start winner Jaccka Opa (A Rocknroll Dance). At his last start he ground out the finish winning by half a length from Tower Of Love (Johny Rock).

“He’s been going well the whole time in, but he hasn’t had any luck. Hopefully we get a cosy trip and if he does he’ll be a place chance.”

The Barron team end their night in Race Ten with Delightful Star (Bettor’s Delight) which draws six in a seven horse front line. She’s had four career starts, winning one, but she paced roughly at her last start.

“It does look like she’s pacing roughly but she isn’t. She’s just got a weird gait. With any luck she should go well.”

Thornley labelled Black Mach and Izia as the stable’s best bet.

Racing gets underway at 4:56pm and will be televised in Trackside One.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink