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Barakey Faces Toughest Test To Remain Unbeaten

West Australian based trainer Jim Taylor was devastated last night when his star sprinter Barakey drew the extreme outside barrier for Saturday's Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot.

Pinwheel leads inter-state charge in this Saturday's Winterbottom Stakes<br>Photo by Racing and Sports
Pinwheel leads inter-state charge in this Saturday's Winterbottom Stakes
Photo by Racing and Sports

Lining up against a small field of ten, Barakey will be out to further emphasise his trainer's high opinion of the son of Key Business given he has rated him a better horse than Hay List at the same point in their careers.

While interstate raiders Pinwheel, Hallowell Belle and Spirit Of Boom shape up as the main dangers, Taylor is more concerned about up and coming local sprinter Travinator.

"I was shattered when he drew 10 and Travinator drew one," Taylor said. "I would think Travinator would be hard to beat now.

"From out there they'll all be looking for him (Barakey)."

Barakey proved quite impressive in his track gallop at yesterday's Breakfast with the Stars when kept under a strong hold from race rider Jason Brown.

Pinwheel, who drew barrier eight, missed Breakfast with the Stars after leaving a bit of his feed on Monday overnight.

However Peter Snowden had no concerns with his seven-year-old and is expected to work well at Ascot today.

"There's no issue. As long as he works well he'll be there Saturday," Snowden said.

"Soundness-wise he's 100 per cent and I just wanted to give him another day to get over the trip.

"He'll do a bit of fast work on the grass on his own.

"I'm not going to work him with a mate, he works too strong and I don't want to gut-bust him."

Hallowell Belle who drew barrier seven will sport a nose roll for the first time this preparation after firing up at track work on Monday when she was reluctant to go out on to the Ascot track.

"She usually has a pony to lead her on the track in Sydney and Melbourne but she couldn't have that here," Owner Craig Thompson explained.

"That's her personality. She got a bit toey. She'll have the nose roll back on in the Winterbottom.

"She's been without it at her last couple of starts but has run well with it in the past."


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