Comfortable win for Miss Mucho

Today’s Southern Standardbred Breeders Fillies and Mares Final drew a small field of six but the standout Miss Mucho didn’t let her battalion of harness racing supporters down, winning comfortably by two and a half lengths.

Driven by Sheree Tomlinson like the best horse in the race, the Mach Three mare settled off the pace before heading to the parked spot. From there she was too strong for place getters Boudica and Rakarippa.

Dachy leads with Miss Mucho sitting parked                                            — Bruce Stewart Photo

Miss Mucho winning easily                                                    — Bruce Stewart Photo

Back to the birdcage                                                — Bruce Stewart Photo

“She’s improved. She didn’t come up in the spring – ate and worked well but just didn’t race well. We gave her a wee spell and she’s never missed since,” said trainer Tony Barron.

“She always had boils or pimples down her side. Since she’s had a spell and come back there’s been no sign of them. We also had a lot of pollen in the air during the spring and she’s a heavy breathing Mach Three so I think that might have affected her.”

The Fillies and Mares Final was a late season initiative by Southern Harness with four heats run before today’s final. Miss Mucho won a heat in May but was the only heat winner to front for the final.

“It’s a nice stake and I’m a bit disappointed that more Southland horses didn’t front up. There’s been some good mares races down here all season.”

Miss Mucho, which has now won five races, is owned by Otama farmer Kenny Baynes.

“She’ll stay down here with Kenny for a couple of weeks. She’s in a happy space so we’ll give her a wee freshener.”

This season has been a good one for Barron who’s won eight races from his sixty one starters. The star of the team is Lifes A Beach which won three races and banked $62,350.

“Cheryl and I only work a small team. We tick away pretty good. Between selling at the yearling sales and training a small team with good loyal clientele it works out pretty good.”

He reckons he’s got a stronger team heading into next season.

“We have Mary Austin who raced down here, Miss Mucho, Lifes A Beach which will come back as a rating 55 horse and a real nice team of maiden horses.”

Barron is also breeding from Queen Kenny with good friend Gordon McKenzie. The Monarchy mare won nine races and her first foal Queen Alida recently won the Group One IRT Australian Need for Speed Princess Final.

Meanwhile Gore trainer Robin Swain was rewarded for his perseverance when fifty two start maiden The Naenae Express won today.

The Naenae Express after winning his first race.                                          — Bruce Stewart Photo

The well-bred Saint Tropez also won his first race for Browns trainer Des Baynes and The Test Syndicate.

Saint Tropez beating Tartan Roxy                                                      — Bruce Stewart Photo

by Bruce Stewart