While it obvious that having the backing of Kilkelly, one of the South’s most enthusiastic owners, would help any stable, there is one extra perk.
Kilkelly, who is an experienced trainer himself, can pitch in at times, especially when the horses hit the road for a three-day stint.
"I am pretty lucky to have an owner that is a trainer as well," Barclay said.
Barclay’s best chance looks to be the first runner she will gear up, Don’t Pass I’m Fast, in race 3. The pacer finished with purpose when second at Forbury Park last week.
"She is really racing well and I was really rapt with her last start. She just found the line so well."
"It just comes down to the run she gets — she never draws any good."
The horsewoman treks Aidan Junior north in the hope of finally finding some racing luck in race 5 tomorrow. The 3yr-old’s career started on a luckless note and has continued that way in four starts so far.
"He got knocked over in his first start and checked again in his second start."
Although it looked as if his luck continued in that vein by drawing 1 on the second row for tomorrow’s race, Barclay is hopeful the horse in front of her charge, Zimfandel, could lead and hand Aidan Junior the trail.
Should that develop, he would pose a decent threat up the Waikouaiti passing lane.
"He follows out a good one ... if he can get a crack at them, he is a good show.
"I think that is his forte. I think he is more of a follower at this stage."
Of all of her runners, Barclay is most concerned about Magical Marn handling Waikouaiti’s grass surface. That is mainly due to his galloping while in contention for driver Craig Ferguson at Wyndham last Sunday.
"He just cross-fired a little bit. Craig said he was travelling like the winner before he did that."
Barclay has worked to correct that issue this week and is hopeful the horse will pace throughout race 11 tomorrow.
"I would expect him to go pretty good if everything is bang on. A win is not far away if he puts it all together."
Just Say Go was an impressive winner at Cromwell on grass in early January, which would usually be a strong lead-in to race 12 tomorrow.
However, drawing 19 in a capacity field and starting from a 10m handicap has his trainer hoping for the best for a repeat performance.
"He has only has one stand. He got away OK, but the stand is a bit of a question," Barclay said.
"If he could step and get himself halfway handy without doing too much work he could definitely run a place."
Barclay starts Grace Burns in race 5. The horse has been beach-trained recently in order to help overcome feet problems.
- Jonny Turner
