A DECISION by Tasmanian harness trainer to convince the owners of star filly Barynya not to run in the Tasmanian Derby and instead concentrate on the Group 1 Victorian Oaks paid big dividends at Tabcorp Park Melton tonight.
Barynya powered her way to an emphatic win in the Nevele R Stud Victorian Oaks over 2240 metres to take out the prestigious three-year-old classic and give her trainer and driver Rohan Hillier the biggest race win of their careers.
The Tasmanian filly drew the inside of the second row (gate 8) but she had the fortune to follow the race leader Mindarie Priddy (David Miles) that drew the pole position.
Barynya appeared to pull fiercely in the early and middle stages but when Hillier steered her into the passing lane in the home straight she hauled in the leader and went on to defeat Mindarie Priddy comfortably with Berisari from the Emma Stewart stable a closing third.
Hillier was thrilled with Barynya’s effort.
“We had some luck when we were able to trail the pole marker that had no trouble finding the lead but my filly pulled hard and at one stage I wasn’t sure whether it may have taken too much out of her,” Hillier said after the race.
“But when we hit the sprint lane she just motored home and I never had to pull the plugs or use the whip,” he said.
Barynya ran the trip in 2.41.1 and recorded a mile rate of 1.55.7 running home her last half (800m) in 56..
After Barynya outgunned a quality field in the Tasmanian Oaks in March connections were tempted to back her up in the Tasmanian Derby but Eaves was adamant that it was worthwhile targeting the $150,000 Group 1 Victorian Oaks and that a Derby run might tip her over the top.
It was a great result for Eaves and Hillier but it also was another shot in th arm for Tasmanian harness racing.
This latest win in a Group 1 event comes on the back of Tasmanian star Beautide’s efforts recently in securing the unofficial Australasian harness triple crown comprising the Miracle Mile, Inter Dominion and Len Smith Mile.