Barra And Doyle Battle To Decisive Win

There was an article in the Racing Post only yesterday showing the odds for champion apprentice and the names to look out for. Well there was one name missing from that list, although everybody already knows about him. Joe Doyle is enjoying a nice run of form at the minute, 4 winners in the past week, and showed again why he is an apprentice to follow with a strong ride aboard The Wee Barra. 

To give Joe all the plaudits would be wrong as The Wee Barra really is as tough as they come and she showed every bit of her qualities when taking the Cadzow Castle Fillies Handicap at Hamilton. 

The 4 year old filly had started the season with plenty of promise when finishing third at Beverley in the mud. With the conditions not in her favour this was a very good performance and it looked as though she had taken another step forward for the year ahead. Unfortunately expectations were not met on her next couple of runs, finishing down the field at Ayr and Doncaster when stepped up in trip to 10f and then 12f. It was a move that was well worth the try as she has always shaped as though she would be better over further but ultimately it was an experiment that did not pay off. Following her run at Doncaster it was obvious to Kevin that he would need to look for a shorter distance.

The Wee Barra won two handicaps last year but the second victory was gained from a mark of 57. When Kevin found the fillies handicap at Hamilton it looked the perfect race but she would have to run a career best off 61. All trainers are looking for the best horses to train but there is another type than make the job so much easier. A genuine and game horse always give you a chance as you know you will always get 100% from them and that rings true for The Wee Barra. Both her wins came from battling performances and she once again showed her tenacity to secure her third win. 

Joe was told to be positive and that is exactly what he was, bouncing the filly from the gates and squeezing her up the inside. Taking the lead quickly the Mark Johnston trained Rosamaria took a keen hold and soon passed Barra round the outside to lead. Joe was happy to take this lead and with the leader running keen it looked as though they might just be going a stride too quick. With The Wee Barra sat in second the rest of the field filtered in behind and passed through the first furlong almost in single file. 

The Wee Barra always travels well in her race but can hit a flat spot. The first part was going well, she was travelling smoothly, but Joe was also close enough to the lead to adjust if she did hit that flat spot. The first half of the race came and went without very much changing, the leader continued to have a 1 1/2 length advantage and set a nice gallop. 

Hamilton is an interesting track as it is shaped like a backwards P. This means the runners have to go around the loop before heading into the straight, which means it is a long run in to the line. The halfway point of the race saw the field rounding the bend and heading into the home straight. Sometimes jockeys can kick a little too early at Hamilton, forgetting that the final furlong is on the rise. The leader still had a nice advantage but Joe had not let them out of his sights. That being said there were another 6 runners travelling well and the race was open. 

The Wee Barra travelled smoothly past the 3f marker, still heading downhill. The leader now just quickened up to try and stretch the field. Joe has a great knack for getting horses to travel and he did it again with The Wee Barra, who covered the move easily. Now there was one or two starting to come under pressure but there was still plenty with chances. Joe was yet to move a muscle and loomed up dangerously heading into the final couple of furlongs. 

Typically Mar Johnston horses are very hard to pass and the long time leader Rosamria still held sway as she led to the dip. As they moved past the 2f marker Joe gave Barra a squeeze to pick up and try to rein in the leader. The pair had now moved clear of the rest and settled down for a battle. With Rosamaria still leading the way Joe had to start getting a little more serious. The leader wasn’t stopping and it was proving very difficult to get on terms. 

Now there was just the final furlong left and it was the rising ground which was going to prove decisive. The Wee Barra now joined the leader and with Joe in full drive she kept on finding a little extra. As she galloped up the hill she began to draw clear, with her head down and trying hard to put the race to bed. She had a good couple of lengths advantage and she was not stopping. There was a late flourish from a couple of the back markers but they were never going to be a problem. The Wee Barra galloped all the way to the line, seeing out every inch of the trip. 

It was great to get a winner for The Slaters Arms Racing Club who have so many enthusiastic members. They have had plenty of luck since joining Kevin and here is another winner who will surely give them another fun year. The Wee Barra is so genuine she is bound to pick up races throughout the year. She always looked likely to do better with time so she may even have more improvement to come. The handicapper will assess her now but when she gets her conditions she will always give you a run for your money.