Trainer Ray Green and driver Andre Poutama discuss Friday night’s encouraging debut by Hilary Barry.
Everyone stoked with Hilary Barry’s debut - and Hilary calls her amazing
By Barry Lichter • 19 January 2019
Hilary Barry didn’t win on Friday night but her fine debut fifth thrilled her trainer and her Seven Sharp namesake.
And the filly remains on target for the March 8 Young Guns Fillies’ Final at Alexandra Park.
Television presenter Hilary Barry wasn’t able to watch the race live - she was on a flight at the time - but she has seen a replay.
“The human Hilary Barry can’t fast enough to save her life but the equine version is amazing,” she says.
Hilary Barry strides out during Friday night’s race at Alexandra Park.“I thought she did brilliantly, she was right up there with the leaders and showed tonnes of potential (in my humble opinion).”
Snookered four back on the markers early from her inside second row draw, driver Andre Poutama manoeuvred the filly to three back on the outer for the last lap.
Trainer Ray Green says he started getting a bit excited 150 metres from home when it looked like she might run in the money.
“She rushed into it but just flattened out the last 50 metres.
“I was quite happy with her. She went great.
“With that run under her belt and a better draw she won’t be far away in the final.
“If she gets a two hole trip she’ll be in the money for sure.’’
Poutama described the run as very encouraging.
Hilary Barry, arrowed, runs right into contention behind the leaders.“She fought all the way to the line.’’
The news on stablemate Beaudiene Blinkz, who ran last, is not so good.
“She pulled up a little off,’’ says Green.
“She didn’t look comfortable on the track and and wasn’t a happy horse afterwards.
“We’ll get the vet out and see if we can find the problem.’’
More news in Harness
Friday night’s main event: In the blue corner, Tyson, in the red corner, Sugar Ray
After 40 years in the sulky, Fergie’s just loving his renaissance in the lincoln green silks
Big-spending Mike Tanev snares The Rascal and he’s off to Canada next week
Dreams Of Eric goes from black and blue to blue and white, now for Harness 5000
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
