Southern trotter out muscles strong trotting field

The win in todays $40,000 Group Three Neumann’s Tyres Vipal Hambletonian Three Year Old Classic by Bring On The Muscle (Majestic Son) trained by Clark Barron, was the Southland harness trainer’s first Group win with a trotter.

Previously he’s won Group pacing races – with I’m Full Of Excuses (Southern Supremacy) and Jumpforjoy (Southland Oaks).

To make the win even more special, Bring On The Muscle which is owned by Clark’s wife Jackie, is out of Mass Invasion, a mare bred by her late father Owen Crooks. She won seven races for Barron and Bring On The Muscle is her third foal.

“It’s been a big thrill wearing the colours (Crooks colours). It’s still his breed so that’s good,” Clark said.

Bring On The Muscle is the second horse trained in Southland to win the Hambletonian. The Ray Jenkins trained Torledo won the feature in 1991.

In today’s three year old trotting feature Bring On The Muscle avoided the early issues with Joeking galloping from behind the gate.

“We got checked a little bit on the first bend when Matty (Princess Sadie) came out under Phils horse (Empire City), and he put in one rough stride. He changed gear when we went up the fence. His manners today were impeccable and he relaxed so well. I still thought we were too far away at the 200 but as soon as he hit daylight he really got going,” driver Brent Barclay said.

Bring On The Muscle produced a powerful finish to beat Empire City by a length.

“It was a very biased track for horses running on from the back so that’s been a very good run for him and Phil’s horse (Empire City) to come from the back,” Barron said.

On a super fast Ashburton track Bring On The Muscle’s time of 2-03.9 was just outside the race and track record of 2-03.3 held by last year’s winner Isolate.

BRING ON THE MUSCLE REPLAY

The question now is, will any of The Ascent slot holders look to use the gelding in the $500,000 Show Day feature?

“There’s been a bit of interest but we haven’t done anything at this stage,” said Barron.

Both trainer and driver think that it’s all ahead of the talented trotter.

“He’ll get better with age. Clark and I have always said we just have to mould him into a racehorse.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink