Barnes to fly flag for South

Jockey Courtney Barnes combines again with last-start winner Raise You Ten, in the Gore Guineas...
Jockey Courtney Barnes combines again with last-start winner Raise You Ten, in the Gore Guineas tomorrow. Photo: Jonny Turner.
Otago jockey Courtney Barnes is in a strong position to fend off the challenge of  the northern raiders tomorrow,  Gore Guineas day.

The rider has secured a strong book of Otago-Southland mounts in fields dominated by Canterbury and North Island horses.

They include Raise You Ten in the Gore Guineas, Princess Brook in the Gore Cup and Fastfoot in  the open sprint. Barnes is confident Raise You Ten can handle the step up in class from maiden grade to  listed level.

"I think he will."

"I was really happy with his win last start and his run before that was super  as well," she said.

Stormy weather yesterday caused the downgrade  of the Gore track to a heavy11.  It had been rated slow earlier this week. Such a surface should not hamper the chance of Raise You Ten, Barnes said.

"I don’t think he will mind a bit of rain, either. He should run a nice race.

"There is a wee bit speed in it so I plan to be fourth or fifth [in the running] and be right there.Princess Brook was not herself on a good Waikouaiti track after backing up from her open handicap win at Wingatui on Boxing Day.

"She was a bit jarry after the race. I think she was feeling the track."

Her chances could be enhanced by rain on the tight Gore circuit  and horses fanning out wider by race 7. Fastfoot comes into tomorrow’s open sprint on the back of close second behind Gore race rival Secret Power.

Fastfoot has just a half kilogram weight difference from the pair’s previous meeting when there was  only a nose between  them,  and he could  turn the tables on Secret Power.

"He looks a nice ride as well. His ran start was super and two starts back too."

Barnes looks to have two more strong chances for White Robe Lodge trainers Brian and Shane Anderton. Satin Guru ran an eye-catching second in the Tapanui Cup at Gore in his last start.

He is the galloper Barnes has the most confidence in when it comes to handling wet conditions.

"He will appreciate a wet track, so I think he will be a good chance."

Though she does not have quite the same optimism about Fascinate handling wet ground, the jockey is  happy with the horse’s work coming into race 4.

"She is going really well at the moment . . .  She drew out a bit but I don’t think it will really matter. She generally jumps and puts herself there. 

"Hopefully she likes a wet track — I don’t think we have tried her on a wet track."

Barnes thinks punters can forgive Taieri Gem for her tardy start when running fourth on debut at Omakau. The horse drew barrier 1 and stood for a long time in the gates while the field was loaded away.

"She was standing there a while. She will be a lot quicker out on Saturday, just with having had a race, I think."

- Jonny Turner

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