Bary proving a skilled hand with juveniles

Written by Paul Vettise

John Bary has an exceptional strike rate this season with the younger members of his stable and among them is a highly-regarded 2-year-old set on a path to a major age group prize.

The Hastings trainer has sent out four juveniles so far with a trio of them debut winners and the other finished runner-up first time out and with two subsequent placings.

A leading light has been The Fugitive (NZ) (Wanted), who is part-owned by breeders Richard and Liz Wood. They have been long-time major supporters of Bary, who trained their multiple Group 1 winner and New Zealand Horse of the Year Jimmy Choux (NZ) (Thorn Park).

“The Fugitive’s heading to Wellington for a 1200 metre race on March 16 and then, all going well, on to the Manawatu Sires’ Produce S.,” Bary said. “That’s his main aim for the season.”

A half-brother to two winners, The Fugitive’s dam Diva Von Tessa (Testa Rossa) is out of a half-sister to the dam of the unbeaten superstar Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and the former champion colt All Too Hard (Casino Prince).

“He looks a very good Guineas hope in the spring, he does look like a serious horse,” Bary said.

The Fugitive won his first start before Christmas and was freshened after he finished runner-up last month.

Stablemate The Tailors Niece (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) started the 2-year-old ball rolling for Bary in the spring when the Kevin Hickman-bred and raced filly won before running fourth in the Listed Wellesley S.

“Unfortunately, she had to have a bone chip removed after that and she’s spelling at Valachi Downs,” he said. “She’ll be back in the spring for some loftier goals.”

High hopes are also held for the stable’s latest juvenile success story Serena (NZ) (Swiss Ace), part-owned by Bary, who came from last to win at Wairoa last Sunday.

“She pulled up well. She’s quite a big filly so we’ll look to the spring with her and hopefully she’s a G3 Gold Trail S. aspirant,” he said.

Cinzento (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}), in the money in all three appearances, will be set for Listed races through the winter.

“She was a bit shin sore after she ran third at Wellington,” Bary said. “She’s back in the stable this weekend and we’ll be looking at then Castletown S. and the Ryder S. with her.

“We’ve got a few more likely 2-year-olds to roll out shortly as well.”

However, Bary’s immediate focus is on his home meeting on Wednesday where the talented 3-year-old Miss Labasa (NZ) (Swiss Ace) steps out in the G2 Little Avondale Stud Lowland S.

She won her first three starts before she was unplaced in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic, but less than five lengths off the winner Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock).

“She was squeezed out of the gates and climbed into the bridle and was hard on the steel,” Bary said.

“She didn’t finish far off those good horses. She’s had a trial since and we wanted to settle her in behind and relax, which she did.

“She’s nominated for the Oaks and as long as she finished top three or four and is finding the line hard we’ll press on.

“If not, we can drop her back in distance and maybe look at the Wellington Guineas. She’s won a couple of races over 1400 metres in good times and one at a mile so we know she’s got speed.”

Meanwhile, a former stable favourite and Jimmy Choux’s half-sister Miss Wilson (Stratum) is in foal to Zoustar.

“Hopefully, I might get the foal back to train, but I can understand if they leave it in Australia,” Bary said.

Miss Wilson won seven races and ended her career in dramatic style by claiming the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. for the Woods.

“She was a very good mare. It was a deserved Group 1 and great for Richard and Liz who have been fantastic supporters,” Bary said.