Barakey’s racing future in doubt

The racing future of  Western Australia’s exciting sprinter Barakey is in doubt following knee surgery after pulling up lame in the Group 1 $1m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 9.

shamexpress

Shamexpress winning the Newmarket Hanidcap in which Barakey pulled up lame. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.

Original x-rays revealed that Barakey had sustained bone chips in his knee but while be being operated on the surgeon discovered a far more serious ailment.

“When they took the bone chip out they found the cartilage in his offside knee was nearly all gone. The surgeon was amazed that he’s been able to do what he’s done so far,” trainer Jim Taylor said.

“He’ll need at least 12 months in the paddock to recover.

“He hasn’t got a long career left.  We’ll never see the best of him.”

Barakey had been nursed throughout his career by Taylor and was relatively lightly raced for a five year old when he arrived in the Eastern states undefeated from eleven starts.

After winning ten from ten Taylor produced Barakey to win at his first attempt at Group 1 company with an exciting victory in the $500,000 Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on November 24.

But the Western Australian star was dogged with nothing but bad luck in Melbourne and after being scratched at the barriers when favourite for the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 23, pulled up lame when well beaten in the Newmarket, finishing eleventh to the three year old Shamexpress.

Barakey has earned over $600,000 from his eleven wins from twelve starts and there is a real possibility that the five year old might not race again.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.