Bareena fires on all cylinders
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Jim Byrne on Bareena escapes the grasp of Go Cart and Our Lukas to return with the Phil Sullivan Handicap (Noel Pascoe photo)
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Bareena is building a reputation of excelling on the big stage after her grinding win in the Listed XXXX Gold Phil Sullivan Handicap 1600m at Eagle Farm on June 6.
Punters are now scratching their heads as to which Bareena will show up on any given day after three weeks ago jumping as a short-priced $1.90 favourite and finished to run a disappointing third at the Sunshine Coast.
History will show the form slump was short-lived after outlasting top class company on Stradbroke Day.
Trainer Bryan Guy and jockey Jim Byrne explained they are not surprised by the varying results after a recent challenge to the eventual Stradbroke winner, Black Piranha, went down to the line.
“She only got a beaten a head by Black Piranha at the Sunshine Coast. He’s the favourite for the Stradbroke today so she can do these sorts of finishes,” said Guy.
Go Cart trainer Steven O’dea was denied a double to start proceedings on Stradbroke Day with Bareena (M5 Filante NZ-Marilla NZ) finding a little more in her final strides to finish a neck in front for the Black Type win.
After spending much of the race side-by-side jockeys Jim Byrne (Bareena) and Ryan Wiggins (Go Cart) fought it out to the post despite taking different routes down the Eagle Farm straight.
The fast finishing and favourite Our Lukas was caught on the back foot after jockey Larry Cassidy’s run was hindered in the straight by a shifting Soiled (Craig Williams) and Rags to Riches (Glen Colless) squeezed him for room.
Our Lukas had to settle for third by a half neck with Cassidy’s summation the horse will be looking for more ground in the future.
It is the second Listed win for Bareena after her 2008 Gai Waterhouse Classic win at Ipswich. The mare also picked up the spoils at the 2008 Magic Millions in the Fillies and Mares Handicap.
“We’ll give her another season and then we’ll keep her as a broodmare,” said Guy.
Unsure as to what lies next; however Guy hinted a return to the Sunshine Coast for Bareena and will look to the Glasshouse Handicap for her next assault.
Which Bareena will turn up is a gamble in itself though.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Ross Dowd – June 9
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