In Brief
- Bargain buy Barbie's Witness storms home to win impressively.
- Miss Excess makes remarkable recovery to win first-up from two-year break.
- Gaffney confident her winning mares have more to give.
Spreyton trainer Leanne Gaffney snared two winners on her home track on Sunday, but it was by no means a normal double.
Barbie’s Witness was the first to salute, storming home late to grab victory in the shadows of the post in a class one handicap over 1150 metres at what was the mare’s first start for the stable.
The well-bred mare by Star Witness was previously trained in Victoria by Lyn Tolson and Leonie Proctor but when the mare’s owners decided not to persevere, she was placed on the market via an online sale.
“My son Clinton paid only $2500 for the mare and we thought even if she doesn’t do any good on the racetrack she is impeccably bred and would make a nice broodmare,” Gaffney said.
There was plenty of money to say the mare would run well, firming from her opening quote of $8 to start the $4 favourite with Brendon McCoull aboard.
Barbie’s Witness arrived in Gaffney’s stable early this year with a win and three minor placings to her credit from 14 starts.
But the best story was that of Miss Excess that rattled home to win a benchmark 60 handicap over 1150m at her first start in almost two years.
Miss Excess is owned by former Victorian trainer Rex Harrison who bred the mare and nursed her back to health after breaking down soon after she won a maiden at Wangaratta in early September,2018.
“Miss Excess arrived at my stables over six months ago and she was ready to race just when we were shut down,” Gaffney said.
“Her owner had spoken to Craig Newitt over in Melbourne and he asked him who he should send the mare to, and he recommended my stable, so it’s thanks to Craig that she ended up with us.
“The mare had broken down, but Mr. Harrison rehabilitated her and did a marvellous job over a period of about 16 months.
“The way she ran today I’d say she is going to be a very good acquisition to the stable.”
Miss Excess settled third and remained in that position until straightening for the run home.
When jockey David Pires called on the Kaphero mare for the supreme effort she dug deep and went on to defeat Gee Gee Pureblonde and Tycoon’s Daughter.
Watch Miss Excess score an emphatic win in a benchmark 60 handicap in Devonport last Sunday.