Barrhill Had To Be Good To Win

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31755, 12 August 1968, Page 5

Barrhill Had To Be Good To Win

Barrhill had to produce a finishing run well above average in merit to justify his favouritism in the Omarama Handicap at the Kurow meeting on Saturday.

This race, like most of the minor events on the programme, provided a grand contest and a crowd-pleasing finish.

Barrhill, a candidate for the Four-year-old Stakes at Addington Raceway on Saturday, became badly placed near the tail of the field and he gave Waratah, another of the same age, a handy start from the straight entrance. Barrhill got up in the last few strides to catch Waratah and beat him by half a head. Chief Walk, which looked a winning prospect at the furlong, was only a head away third, two lengths in front of Copper Khan, which nosed Dutch Courage and Double Step out of fourth. Twelve months ago Hagan, a member of P. G. O'Reilly's Methven team, won the first

leg of the on-course double at the Kurow meeting. On Saturday he won the second leg of the course double, the Benmore Handicap, a race for which he was the tenth favourite. HELD ON Hagan led for the last seven furlongs and held on to beat Quite Local by half a length, Vanene making ground for third, ahead of Bronze Maiden and Jimmy Dick.

The first leg, the Waimate Handicap, marked the first win of Fratello, a four-year-old by Forward from Wee Doll. He was bred at Rosewood Stud, Annat, and cost Mr and Mrs A. Spark, of Methven 1450 guineas at the 1966 yearling sales.

Fratello lasted to hold Michaeloe off by a nose, with the others, headed by Revilo, well beaten. Michaeloe had to be content with second once more when he contested the Oamaru Handicap later in the day. This time he went under by a head to his stablemate. Vandal, which was pacing easily at the finish. Really Something was a fair third. Flying Globe gained a popular win in the R. A. Paterson Handicap. He broke for a few strides inside the final furlong, but soon settled and came on to win decisively from Bertha Jo and Flaming Glow. Conclusion gained a deserved win in the Hakataramea Handicap. She drew away from Global Hall over the last 100 yards and won easily. Flying Globe made ground for third, ahead of the unlucky Fingall.