Milestone win for Tony Barron at Addington

Aspirational Dream provided Tony Barron with his 400th harness racing training win in his own right yesterday when winning the Neumann & Sparks Families 40 Years Plus “Silk Road” Mobile Trot at Addington.

The Royal Aspirations four-year-old was on the back up from Friday night where she ran sixth to Royal Del.

Yesterday was a different story with driver John Morrison going straight to the top from barrier rise. From there she trotted the 1980m in commanding style, never out of second gear, winning by three lengths from runner up Bodacious.

“I think being in front might have perked her up a bit, I didn’t have to pull any gear either so that was good,” said driver John Morrison.

“She’s good over the short course. It’s good for Tony and the owners, they’ve been very patient with her.”

It was the  mare’s third career win from 25 starts and was perhaps one of her more convincing efforts.

“She’s jogged it,” said trainer Tony Barron. 

“She’s always been good. She ran third in the Oaks last year (behind Keayang Zahara). We’ve just had a few tying up issues. Just things haven’t gone right.”

The win was part of the Silk Road series which carries a $25,000 final on June 22.

“It’s a good stake for the final. Hopefully that win gets us in.”

ASPIRATIONAL DREAM REPLAY

In addition to Barron’s 400th win, he also trained 90 winners in partnership with brother Ken Barron from 2017 – 2018, and trained 38 winners with father Ron Barron between 1990 – 1995 for a combined total of 528 winners. He was also the co-breeder and co-owner of millionaire trotter Queen Elida and co-bred superstar three-year-old Marketplace.

He trains a small team from his West Melton base, predominantly two-year-olds in their schooling phase.

“I have a full two-year old sister to Life’s A Beach. She’s trialling on Tuesday. Just her first run. She’s a nice filly but will need a few runs.”

Meanwhile John Morrison made it a double in the sulky with Lotties Moment who he trained and drove to win the “Sundees Son” Simply The Best Silk Road Mobile Trot.

It was the four-year-old Majestic Son mare’s second win from nine starts and was the shortest priced favourite of the day at $2.00FF.

Other highlights on the programme included a stable quinella in Race 1 for Ashburton trainers Brent and Tim White with See No Evil (Jonny Cox) and Snooowgood (Kim Butt), while Jonny Cox also drove Bonnie Bagrie to victory in Race 4 for trainer Sam Payne, giving Cox a driving double.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand