Seven Sharp hosts Hilary and Jeremy have stars in their eyes

Seven Sharp hosts Hilary Barry and Jeremy Wells hope names are the only things they have in common with their equine alter egos.

The four-legged Hilary Barry, owned by Lincoln Farms, hasn’t made it to the first Young Guns race at Alexandra Park on Friday night — she’ll parade around the birdcage so the two-legged Barry can watch her from the studio — but Wells will be there to see his namesake race.

Seven Sharp will be broadcast live from the track for the occasion and Wells is hoping his co-host doesn’t suffer any more of the setbacks which have delayed Hilary Barry’s debut.

Spookily, Hilary Barry the horse is getting over a recent stone bruise - an injury which Hilary Barry the presenter also suffered.

“Hilary had an injury to her hoof too,’’ says Wells. “She rolled her ankle and was in a moon boot for a couple of months. But she soldiered on like a trooper, she took the afternoon off but was straight back into the studio. I hope the horse shows the same application.’’

Hilary Barry going through her paces for driver Andre Poutama.Hilary Barry, a beautifully bred filly by champion stallion Bettor’s Delight, while a real professional like her namesake, has frustrated Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green with a few earlier hiccups.

She’s had a couple of gear malfunctions in her lead-up trials — losing a hopple carrier strap, then throwing a shoe. “I wouldn’t want a wardrobe malfunction to happen to Hilary,’’ says Wells. “Not on live TV.”

Seasonal problems have also seen Hilary Barry be less than willing on a couple of occasions.

Wells doesn’t have to worry about the same problem with his namesake, but the colt’s hormones have already got him into trouble.

When Wells was introduced to “Basil” for the first time at trainer Jack Harrington’s Canterbury stable earlier in the year, Wells says they “got on like a house on fire.’’

“He was quite shy at first - he ran away - but then he looked like he wanted to bite me. He’d actually bitten another horse before and also bit a woman on her breast. I’ve never done that and never would. The poor boy was gelded after that.’’

Trainer Jack Harrington gives Jeremy Wells a spin round Pukekohe.Wells says while having a horse named after him “is arguably the greatest honour anybody could have bestowed on them’’ he isn’t harbouring any high expectations for the horse on Friday night.

“I’m not going to put any pressure on him, so long as he doesn’t gallop, I’ll be happy. I just hope he comes good in time.

“I’m a late bloomer myself. If I was a horse I’d have been put down. Luckily someone kept training me and things have come all right. I hope things go as well for Basil. And if not, at least he’s existed.’’

Wells says he and Hilary have discussed at length who’s going to be the better horse and, yes, there will be a side bet on that. He’s hoping he won’t end up eating humble pie, rather than media lunch.

“I’m looking forward to supporting Basil on Friday night.’’

Hilary the human may be waiting until next month before she starts talking Hillary Barry up. A visit to Lincoln Farms’ stunning farm at Pukekohe is planned when she will have a drive behind the filly in the sulky and judge for herself. The filly is expected to make her debut on January 18 when the first Young Guns heat solely for fillies is programmed.

“Hilary’s more confident around horses than I am. She grew up riding horses and doing dressage at pony clubs in Wellington.’’