For the second week in a row Clark Barron finds himself in a curious position in an invited drivers’ series.
The Brothers In Arms contest pairs driving brothers competing for points in a six-race grass-track series, behind randomly drawn horses. That random process has landed Clark Barron the drive behind Compliant in race 8 for his trainer brothers, Ken and Tony Barron. Ken also competes in the driving series and drew The Persuader in the same event.
Tony Barron was happy with the news Clark would drive Compliant.
"That’s very good. It’s the ideal driver for that horse, so I’m expecting a big form reversal from him."
Race circumstances were the main reason Compliant had been unsighted in two starts this season, Tony Barron said.
"That was a New Zealand record first up at Ashburton so that hurt him just a little bit. Then last week at Geraldine he had no luck, so you’ve got to just turn the page on his form."
Cullen Who continues a season that has been plagued with bad luck and wide barrier draws. She starts from the outside of the mobile in race 9 with pilot Nathan Williamson.
"She’s had no luck, but we burnt up all our luck up in Auckland last year."
Despite the horror alley for the 2000m journey, Barron expects the 4yr-old to be hard to beat.
"I am very happy with her. Her last run was super. She led up in a 1.54 mile rate."
The Barrons also start Gotta Del in the same event.
"His form has been pretty good, really. Every time he’s been in a good position he has got money, so I expect the same again."
Delightful Dash lines up for the training partnership in tomorrow’s main handicap which is not part of the drivers’ series. She pairs with stable driver Blair Orange and brings a record of three wins and three placings from nine starts on grass tracks.
"Alta Orlando is going to be very tough [to beat] but he can do things wrong. She seems very well and she loves the grass so I am expecting a top-three finish."
The trainers also line up three horses at Addington tonight.
"They will all be worth following. Lydia Ko is a first-starter and if she steps away she will give them a big fright. Kitura and Reaza Grunter are good place chances, too."
Top cap a busy weekend, Illegal Immigrant starts for the stable at Methven on Sunday.
- Jonny Turner
Brothers In Arms
Drivers Series
Jay and Sailesh Abernethy
Clark and Ken Barron
David and Philip Butcher
Hamish and Peter Hunter
Gerard and Leo O’Reilly
Matthew and Nathan Williamson.
