Barynya is back at the venue where her path to glory commenced. Exactly 12 months ago, the promising Tasmanian filly contested the $30,000 Tasmanian Oaks after three Launceston wins. Barynya ($4.00) was second favourite behind the Victorian, Sandy Kay ($1.20) but defied a death seat trip outside Sandy Kay to draw clear in the closing stages and win by 2.5 metres.
Two Launceston wins followed then trainer Dick Eaves and driver Rohan Hillier took Barynya to Melton for the $150,000 Victorian Oaks. Hillier did his part by taking a sprint lane run to win the prestigious juvenile classic.
The $110,000 Victorian Super Sires series was next. A heat and semi final win was followed by a luckless fifth in the final where Barynya’s chances were ruined shortly after the start when she locked wheels with another runner.
The $213,000 Breeders Crown series was her last assignment before a well earned spell. Barynya won the Launceston heat (she was the only starter!) and went on to finish second in both the semi final and the final. Her significant national performances led to Harness Racing Australia awarding the 2013/14 Australian 3YO Filly Of The Year award to Barynya.
Barynya had a six month break and three Victorian starts since have resulted in a $25,000 Charlton Cup win (15 February) where the 4YO Blissfull Hall – Lombo Anastasia mare showed her class by leading throughout and taking an incredible 5.2 seconds off the track record returning a mile rate of 1:56.5 for 2570 metres.
Barynya (R9 N4) is entered for the $10,000 Metropolitan Cup at Hobart on Sunday night. It is usually a big ask for a 4YO mare to mix it with open class competitors but Barynya has demonstrated at her last two starts that she can, winning the Charlton Cup and finishing less than three metres from the winner after sitting outside the leader in a Melton M1.