Barbaric bounces back in record time at Te Rapa

Top quality sprinter Barbaric demonstrated once again just what a lethal prospect he can be when in a fresh state as he returned to winning form in track record time at Listed level in the Legacy Lodge Sprint at Te Rapa on Saturday.

The dashing seven-year-old was scoring for the 8th time in just a 24 start career to date with five of those wins coming when resuming after a 90 day break or more. Plagued by issues with his feet as a younger horse, the son of Pins has been free of those problems in recent times with trainer Stephen Marsh confident there is more in store for his charge.

“I thought he would be a good chance on Saturday as his work had been good and he had really come on after his trial last month,” he noted.

“He won nicely three starts ago but then struck tracks that were just far too wet for him in his last couple of runs so with the short break he had and a decent track on the weekend we thought he would go well.

“With the speed on it suited him perfectly and it was a beautiful ride by Lee Magorrian as he showed plenty of patience and great judgement to guide him through the field rather than coming wide around them.”

Marsh was also delighted for the gelding’s owners, Rex and William Fell of Goodwood Stud.

“It was a thrill to get the win for the Fell’s as Rex hasn’t been in the best of health of late so hopefully that will be a tonic for him” he said.

Marsh wasn’t on course to witness the victory as he was putting the finishing touches on Sothys 2000 Guineas runner Rocanto who finished well back in the Group One feature at Riccarton.

“He didn’t really get the 1600 metre trip so he will go in the paddock now for a break,” he said.

“He can have a good freshen up before we bring him back in the autumn where we will look at some of the sprint features on offer around that time.”

Marsh also reported Gr. 1 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas contender No More Tears was ready for a big effort in the three-year old fillies feature at Riccarton this weekend. The daughter of Darci Brahma has thrived since her last start Ellerslie win in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes and will be one of the well fancied runners in Saturday’s contest. – NZ Racing Desk