The Gay Robinson-trained Finbarr justified some inspired support when he produced a brave effort to take out the Millennium Hotels & Resorts Premier Open (1400m) at Riccarton.
Backed into race-favourite, the four-year-old Falkirk gelding was on the toe as he made a belated entrance to the parade ring before the race. That nervous energy was put to good use as rider Lee Callaway bounced him out nicely from a wide barrier to find a handy place behind the early speed, albeit three-wide without cover.
Robinson had set her charge for the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) on the first day of the carnival but he failed to gain a start after being placed on the ballot for the race. Saturday’s victory proved a handy consolation for his trainer who also shares in the ownership of the horse.
“We’re starting to realise he could be a good horse,” she said.“It was a good ride by Lee as he had to waste hard to make the weight.”
“It was a great result for Lee and for us.”Robinson was undecided on future plans for Finbarr who was a $50,000 purchase from the Windsor Park Stud draft during the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run sale. She indicated a brief spell was the preferred option before a decision was made on where the horse would look to add to the five wins he has produced from his first 17 starts.
