Stable trifecta at Winton for Barclay, Ellis

THE good times continued to roll for trainers Kirstin Barclay and Paul Ellis at Winton on Saturday when they scored their first race trifecta.

Barclay led her stable’s success by steering Paddyproudfoot to win over his stablemates, Franco Hampton and Chuckles.

The BarclayEllis trifecta came during a magical month for the trainers.

The pair have caught the attention of harness racing fans across New Zealand through the deeds of their breakout performer, U May Cullect.

‘‘It has been a bit of a fairy tale, really,’’ Barclay said.

‘‘To have three in the race and get the trifecta was awesome.’’

Though he has not shown quite the same zip as his stablemate, there are some parallels between U May Cullect and Paddyproudfoot.

And the Winton winner has a decent share of his own ability.

Barclay and Ellis have had to be patient with both pacers, who have gone amiss in their two previous preparations.

‘‘Paddy ran a really good second in his first start at three, but I had to scratch him on the morning of his second start,’’ Barclay said.

‘‘He had a really bad virus and he could just never shake it.’’

Paddyproudfoot’s second racing preparation was also cut short after just one start.

‘‘When we worked him up and got him to the races he started hanging a little bit.

‘‘He ran a really good second to Mighty Flying Art, but he was always a bit sore after that and he had a hairline fracture in his pastern.’’

Barclay credited the Duffy family, who race the Washington VC 4yrold, for having a patient approach and giving Paddyproudfoot every chance to get over his injuries.

They were rewarded for that patience when their pacer held out the finish of his stablemate, Hampton, to score by a neck.

‘‘Luckily he has got good owners, because every time I ring them they say ‘do what is best for the horse’.

‘‘Finally, we got there today.’’ Hampton showed he was getting close to a maiden win by pushing Paddyproudfoot in the final 100m.

‘‘He got skittled in his first start. The trip away to Omakau just knocked his confidence and it has taken him a while to get it back.

‘‘He was pushing Paddy at the end.’’

Like Paddyproudfoot, the thirdplaced Chuckles has faced health battles away from the racetrack.

The 3yrold put two wind operations behind him when he produced a big finish for third in his debut on Saturday.

‘‘He is a neat wee horse, he has quite a lot of speed.

‘‘He had to have a wind operation, but it didn’t work, so he had to go back and have another one.’’

The Barclay and Ellis stable star, U May Cullect, has recovered well from his fine win at Addington on Easter Cup night.

The stable’s plan is good news for southern harness fans, but not so good news for Addington officials.

U May Cullect was likely to have two more starts in Southland this season before being spelled, Barclay said.

The breakout pacer is almost certain to return to Addington in the spring for New Zealand Cup week.

❛ It has been a bit of a fairy tale, really