LONGFORD trainer Barry Baker heaved a sigh of relief when his six-year-old mare Helera scored an emphatic win in a 3YO and upwards maiden over 1220 metres at UBET Racing Centre in Launceston last night (Wednesday).
Helera had promised to win a race many times over the last two seasons but a combination of bad luck in running as well as racing when she probably should have been in the paddock led to forgettable efforts.
With in-form apprentice Raquel Clark in the saddle, Helera showed good early speed to lead last night and when the rider called on the daughter of Helike to extend in the home straight she bounded clear and went on to defeat Lemon Grove and Lyndspur by over six lengths.
Helera was having her 13th start and before the win she had managed three minor placings, all of which had been on the Launceston circuit.
“I am so rapt that this mare has finally won a race and it is great for my wife (Kylie) who rides her in all of her trackwork,” Baker said.
“Kylie has been telling me for a long time that the mare works like a class four horse on the training track yet has struggled to win a maiden.”
“But the monkey is finally off her (Helera’s) back and she could now go on and win a string of races,” he said.
Clark was full of praise for the mare. Listen to what the apprentice had to say after the win.