PAUL Murray is hoping the “shout” will be on him at the Magic Millions carnival in January! first he has to gain a “back door” entry into the $1m Fillies & Mares (1300m) with Wednesday’s Canterbury winner Harry’s Bar.
The Kembla Grange trainer understandably was thrilled to see his iconic late father Bede’s well-known colours back on a city winner when $4.20 favorite Harry’s Bar (Reece Jones) was too swift in the Maiden Handicap (1250m).
“It’s been a couple of years since the colors have been carried to victory in town,” Murray said en route home.
“There should be more of it.”
Considering she is a mare, Harry’s Bar is unusually named, but it isn’t concerning her trainer one bit.
“It sounds good now,” he said after the four-year-old daughter of Harry Angel had broken through at her third start following a second on debut in the Big Maiden at the Grafton carnival last month and another second at Canterbury in a Super Maiden three weeks ago.
The $48,000 first prize boosted her earnings to just over $75,000 – a tidy return on the $18,000 Murray paid for her online through Inglis Digital in February.
Harry’s Bar was a $150,000 purchase at the 2022 Magic Millions National Yearling sale at the Gold Coast, and later changed hands for $20,000 at John Singleton’s Strawberry Hill Stud unreserved dispersal sale last year.
Murray came into the picture courtesy of one of his owners Ian Neville OAM when she was again put up for sale in February.
“Ian has a connection with Hawkesbury trainer Mick Attard, who recommended we buy Harry’s Bar,” Murray said.
“Apparently there was a problem with debts with who ever owned the mare at the time, and that’s why she was sold.
“I bought three horses at that February online sale, and Harry’s Bar has quickly repaid us.”
Murray is looking ahead to the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast in January with his lightly-raced mare, and has to carefully plan her program to get there.
“Even though she is a Magic Millions product, she wasn’t paid up for the race series,” he said.
“I will give Harry’s Bar a break of three or four weeks, and we’ll aim at a couple of Listed races (Nudgee Stakes and Falvelon Quality) in Brisbane in December to qualify for the Fillies & Mares race at the MM carnival.”
The $1m event for the “girls” will be run at set weights and penalties at the Gold Coast on January 13.
. Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup was the other provincial trainer to succeed at Canterbury, scoring with his promising four-year-old High Dandy.
The son of Victoria Derby winner Ace High started a pronounced $1.60 favorite in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1550m), and made it two wins from as many starts this campaign.
Ridden by Tyler Schiller, High Dandy took the lead in the back straight and thereafter wasn’t headed.
He was strong through the line in defeating Sweysive ($8) and Noble Conqueror ($3.20) to post his third victory from seven starts.
“Tyler did the right thing in allowing High Dandy to stride to the lead when he was starting to get a bit keen behind Sweysive,” Widdup said.
“He has proven himself a class rider in the last 12 months since coming out of his apprenticeship.”
High Dandy continued Widdup’s outstanding start to the season, being his 10th winner in August, and with three days of the month remaining, he is hoping to add to his tally.
Story John Curtis, August 28, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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