Finbarr fulfilling his potential
WELLINGTON: Southland galloper Finbarr justified some inspired support when scored a brave win in a 1400m open handicap at the Grand National carnival at Riccarton on Saturday.
The 4yrold Falkirk gelding was on the toe as he made a belated entrance to the parade ring before the race. That nervous energy was put to good use as rider Lee Callaway bounced him out nicely from a wide barrier to find a handy place behind the early speed, albeit three wide without cover.
Callaway asked his charge to come into the race at the 400m mark and he responded gamely to wear down pacemaker Irish Excuse in the final stages as he scored by a neat length, with Shaara finishing resolutely to steal third.
Ascot Park trainer Gay Robinson had set her charge for the Winter Cup (1600m) on the first day of the carnival but he failed to gain a start after being placed on the ballot for the race.
The win on Saturday proved a handy consolation for his trainer who also shares in the ownership of the horse.
‘‘We’re starting to realise he could be a good horse,’’ Robinson said.
‘‘It was a good ride by Lee as he had to waste hard to make the weight [53lg].
‘‘It was a great result for Lee and for us.’’
Robinson was undecided on future plans for Finbarr who was a $50,000 buy from the Windsor Park Stud draft at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run sale. She indicated a brief spell was the preferred option before a decision was made on where the horse would next race.
Finbarr has won five of his 17 starts and $84,875 in stakes. — NZ Racing Desk
❛ We’re starting to realise he could be a good horse