East coast trainers thinking they can chase a cheap Group 1 in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in Perth later this month may need to reassess.

Hallowell Belle

Hallowell Belle (pictured) is one of a number of east-coast sprinters likely to head to Perth to take on Barakey in the Winterbottom. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia.

Perth star Barakey fired a warning shot to his rivals ahead of the Western Australia feature sprint when he took his unbeaten record to 10 in a four-length walloping of his competition in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) at Ascot yesterday.

The likes of Sea Siren and Buffering are being considered for a trip west to tackle Barakey and other top locals Travinator and Power Princess.

Barakey has been an awesome force in Perth racing since bursting on to the scene in June last year with a 4 1/2 length win on debut at Belmont Park.

He has since been untouchable, putting away all comers with ease, with his shortest winning margin 1 1/2 lengths.

Trainer Jim Taylor said yesterday’s win was a good lead-up to the Winterbottom where he believes he will have the son of Key Business at his absolute peak.

“I think he’s looking for a bit further. I’ve done a lot more work with him this time in to get him harder for the 1200 of the Winterbottom,” Taylor told The West Australian.

“He was about 90 per cent today and that should bring him on now.”

Also in line for a trip to the Winterbottom is Gilgai Stakes winner Hallowell Belle whose owner Craig Thompson lives in the Western Australian capital.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained mare will line up for her third start of the spring at Flemington on Saturday in the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m).

About The Author