Barwon has Stayers victory in his sights
ONCE a promising gelding backed by leviathan owner Lloyd Williams, Barwon now has the 2018 edition of the Magic Millions FNQ Up and Coming Stayers in his sights.
Trained out of Cannon Park by Rodney Miller, who used to work for Williams, Barwon sits equal leader of the popular series, despite not winning one of the previous events.
The six-year-old looks poised to break through in the series, after four promising recent runs, in the last event of
the five-race program from Atherton today.
Barwon won his first career start for the six-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner, Williams, but has only found one other career victory from 23 starts.
After a promising second place finish at Cairns Jockey
Club earlier this month, Miller believes the 2000m trip will suit Barwon today.
“I would be disappointed if he gets beat this week, he has improved a hell of a lot of late,” Miller said. “I knew the horse when I was down with Lloyd Williams and he looked like he
was going to be a very nice horse after winning his first start at Kyneton.
“He lost his way a little bit but we brought him up here and tried a few different things with him and I think we have got him at his peak now. He was stiff not to win last start and I expect to go one better.”
Cairns hoop Kirk Stone has been aboard Barwon his last four starts but Masayuki Abe takes the ride today.
As well as looking to collect the 2018 Magic Millions Up and Coming Stayers Series crown, Miller is keen for Barwon, by Reset from Kanetoshi
Peko, to head towards a 2000m Benchmark 65 race on Townsville Cup Day next month.
“I probably do not think the horse is up to a Cairns Cup so a series like this works well,” Miller said.
“There is a nice race at Townsville next month we are setting him for and really want him to win.”
The Stayers Series has two more events following today’s race at Atherton.