BG Barclay gets 900

It’s been quite a journey for Winton harness racing driver Brent Barclay, and today at Winton he drove his 900^th winner thirty five years after his first.

It was fitting that the milestone was reached on one of Brett Gray’s horses because the win by Jaccka Evan (Ultimate Machete) was Barclay’s 150^th for Gray who’s been a great supporter for a good number of years.

“It was bloody good because we’re pretty close. We came through the game together as drivers and I chucked it in and he carried on. When he came back from Australia I was starting to really get into the training. He and Lauren (partner Lauren Pearson) have been great to us because they jog a few up and it’s been great for us both,” Gray said.

In today’s Ryal Bush Transport Mobile Pace Barclay took Jaccka Evan to the top early.

“Our plan was to go forward with him. Blair came round (on Always For Sale) and he’s a nice horse too, so I was pleased to take a trail. I got to the 800 and he started to nickel up (get keen) so I thought we’d better get going,” Barclay said.

By the 800 Jaccka Evan was back in front. Barclay just had to tap him up and he went down to the line to win by two and a quarter lengths from Cranachan which came up the passing lane.

“He was still quite strong at the end – he’s still got a few wee quirks, but he’s got a good motor.”

JACCKA EVAN REPLAY

Barclay’s first winner was Dougie Wood at Patterson Park in Greymouth on Boxing Day in 1989. The seven year old pacer trained by Brent’s father Keith, won by four and a half lengths in a field of sixteen. He also won the following day on the same track with Barclay on board.

“That was a long time ago. It’s unheard of for a horse to win the next day. That was a good trip.”

Barclay held a junior licence between 1989 and 1997 during which time he drove 48 winners.

“I was probably one of the longest juniors but as soon as I lost my junior drivers license everything fell into place and the winners really started coming after that.”

In his first season as a senior horseman Barclay drove 24 winners and his best season was in 2003 when he drove 53 to win.

In terms of the best numbers of wins, Be Not Afraid won eight and Bonnies Lass, Jamie, Smokey Mac and Windermere Girl all won seven.

Ascot Park with 341 has provided him with the majority of his wins from Central Southland Raceway (177), Forbury Park (127) and Young Quinn Raceway (102).

Barclay’s feature wins have been the New Zealand Welcome Stakes (Corumba), the Southern Supremacy Stakes (Corumba, Looksaflyer and Duke Of Wellington), the Southland Oaks Final (Windermere Girl), the New Zealand Kindergarten Stakes (Bought In The Pub and Waikiki Beach), the Cheviot Two Year Old Fillies Stakes (Western Dream and Natal Franco), the New Zealand Sapling Stakes (Jackson Street) and Invercargill Cup (Dadndave).

Barclay said winning the Welcome Stakes with Corumba was special.

“He was a freak, and I think he was untapped. I was young and probably foolish at the time and drove him on how he felt. He never really got a chance to race in the field because he was always a bit hot headed. I also drove horses like Whanau and Bonnies Lass. At one point I had a good run on three year old fillies like Windermere Girl and Natel Franco. The Prices (Roger and Katrina) kept on bring one out every year. Trainers like Bud Baynes and Kirk Larsen helped on the way through.”

Barclays’ win in the 2018 Southern Supremacy Stakes with Duke Of Wellington was special as well.

“It was good for Lester (owner Lester Smith) and Lauren.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink