It is rare that Kembla Grange trainer Gwenda Markwell ventures up the freeway to Sydney without returning after success in the city and the ATC’s meeting at Canterbury on Wednesday was no exception with Bardiya winning the first of the programme.
The win in the $27,000, Pro Sports Memorabilia Handicap (1250m) for Bardiya did require the patience of jockey Glyn Schofield as the Choisir gelding was slow away from the barriers and settled last.
Schofield waited while Corey Brown took Annabels (55.5kg) to the front and took the field through to the main straight. Once there Brown sent Annabels forward again and she took a break chased by General Web and apprentice Chad Schofield giving 2kg off 55kg.
Schofield, meanwhile, was last into the straight and he sent Bardiya out down the middle of the track. Weaving his way through the field Bardiya showed a good turn of foot on the Heavy 9 track to take over the lead with 50 to run
Annabels (Anadaa) stayed on for second with General Web (Commands) third, the margins ½ and 1/2L. The time was 1.15.76 reflecting the conditions after a storm overnight downgraded the track rating, and the final 600m in 37.66. Bardiya paid $4.10 on NSW TAB.
“He was in a sort of awkward spot coming into the corner. I have actually seen Glyn ride a few races like that and they have won just like him,” said Markwell who was also acting as strapper for Bardiya.
“It was a big effort and he certainly knows how to try and win a race,” she added.
“There is always a way through if you have got the horse,” said Schofield.
“He got a bit of a tightening just after the start and I ended up further back from where I wanted to be, but it all stemmed from being tightened up from the barriers,” he said.
Bardiya is out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Royal Wannabe and he is owned by Matthew Sandblom. This was his second win from nine starts and with three placings he has earned stakes of $50,280 including a BOBS bonus of $10,000 for Wednesday’s win.
Picture ATC