It’s A Fab Five At Newcastle For Barnaby
There are serial course specialists throughout the years in racing and Hambleton Lodge has seen a few of them too. Different characteristics and nuances of the tracks can be the reason for this or maybe there just isn’t any explanation. Barnaby has had a fantastic winter and took his fifth career win, all at Newcastle, when bouncing back to form in the 7f Win £1M With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap.
The Autumn saw Barnaby thrive, winning four times on the bounce and gaining 21lbs in the handicap. Due to this run of form he secured a bonus, being crowned the horse of the month for November. His subsequent runs couldn’t add to the winning tally but he was still running well, showing that the hike in the weights may not have stopped him just yet.
Obviously with his form at Newcastle any options at the track would have to come under serious consideration. The 7f handicap would see him line up against 8 rivals and Barnaby was installed as favourite. Tom Eaves took the ride once again and got into a lovely position from the off. Drawn on the near side, the pair settled in just behind the pace. As many of the runners were looking for cover, the leader was allowed to go on and took them down towards the centre of the track, going at a decent clip.
Always in clear daylight and travelling nicely, Tom had Barnaby around 2 lengths off the leader. Barnaby had previously shown that his last furlong was usually his best so he looked perfectly poised through the first half of the race. For a small field the runners were quite well strung out, showing that the pace was not easing up.
Passing the 3f marker the leader began to try and kick away from the rest. Barnaby can hit a little flat spot at this stage but Tom gave him a little squeeze to move up a little and maintain his pitch. Barnaby responded and moved well to edge up the near side as the leader began to weaken.
The pace began to collapse as those in front started to back track. Barnaby was nudged along moving inside the 2f marker and started to move through the gears. He was slowly reeling in the leader but looked to be the one full of running. Barnaby took the lead passing he 1f marker but he was under a strong challenge down the inner. Once he heard the hooves rattling, Barnaby switched leads and quickened up once more. Nothing could respond and under Tom’s drive, Barnaby finished off strong. He galloped out to the line, opening up a 1 1/2 length advantage, securing his fifth course win.
It was great to see Barnaby back to form and even more so off this sort of mark. He has only put one poor run out through the winter and this was at Southwell. It suggests that, whilst not necessarily a course specialist, Barnaby may enjoy a nice, galloping track like Newcastle. To secure a fifth win sin September shows incredible consistency and he won with a bit in hand. Barnaby will gain another career high but he will likely be out again to try and move up the leaderboard for the AW Horse Of The Year.