Barbaric has bounced back from his Telegraph Handicap failure and is set to have another Group One crack at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Trainer Stephen Marsh admits he is surprised at how well the son of Pins has come through the Trentham start on very hard ground, especially taking into account the hoof problems he has encountered through most of his career.
“He just couldn’t really hit out on that hard ground, but he’s come through it well,” said Marsh. “He’s been working nicely and the track at Te Rapa should suit him a bit better. Any easing of the ground would help, too.”
Barbaric was ridden in the Gr. 1 J. & N. Berkett Telegraph Handicap, in which he finished 11th (five and a half lengths from the winner Irish Fling), by Matt Cameron but Rosie Myers will take over the reins this weekend.
Barbaric wound up favourite in the Trentham feature with the late scratching of Cauthen and his form leading into the big event included a last-start win in the Listed Chainey’s Panasonic Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Two of Barbaric’s five wins have been recorded at Te Rapa and he has been placed in his sole start at 1400 metres, the distance of Saturday’s $200,000 NRM Sprint.
Marsh also reports he is pleased with the progress being made by last season’s top two-year-old Ruud Awakening.
“”She’s been on the water-walker for the last few weeks and is due back in the stable this week,” said Marsh. “She looks good and is on target to resume at Te Rapa on April 26 in the Breeders’ Stakes.”
Stablemate Lucky Country is getting through some light work and is being aimed at a Queensland Winter Carnival campaign.