Hunter Plots an Oaks Challenge for Barb Raider

Mark Smith - Saturday March 12

A positive ride by Craig Williams on Barb Raider saw the daughter of Rebel Raider repel the challenges of the royally bred pair Argentia and Mokulua in Saturday’s $300,000 Group II Kewney Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Barb Raider holds of Argentia (image Grant Courtney)

Coming off a victory in the Group III Vanity Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, the Jerome Hunter-trained 3yo bravely held the fast-finishing Frankel filly Argentia by a half-head with the progessive Redoute’s Choice x Dear Demi filly Mokulua three-quarter of a length further back in third, with the So You Think filly So You see a fast-finishing fourth.

With her second stakes success, barb Raider advances her record to four wins, a second, and two thirds from eight starts with earnings of $482,250.

Advertisement

“It’s fantastic. I was a bit emotional a couple of weeks ago but just trying to hold it back now,” Hunter said.

“Great to get a horse like this. To get a homebred for the owners is fantastic.

“We’ll go home and have a think about but it the (ATC Oaks) is very enticing. I do know that she likes the wet as well so looking at Sydney, it’d be nice.

“It’s only going to get harder as we go up.”

“Last preparation I could see her have a kick and that worried me whether she’d be an out and out stayer but this time round I’ve held a bit more strength in her. You have to have a throw at the stumps if she keeps improving.”

A homebred for Graebar Park's Graeme Gathercole, Barb Raider is the first foal of the winning Host (ARG) mare Graebarb, who hails from the family of the wonderful producer's Halo Again and her daughter She's Discreet.

Graebarb has a 2yo colt named Graewazi, one of four foals left by the obscure Our Wazi an unraced half-brother by Choisir to the Listed winner Belwazi.

Graebarb foaled a Squamosa filly last spring before being covered by Prized Icon.

Advertisment

Race Result - Tab Kewney Stakes Gr2 1600m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 1:37.32
1
Barb Raider
- 3f Rebel Raider (AUS) x Graebarb (AUS) (Host (CHI))
Tnr: Jerome Hunter Rdr: Craig Williams 56
2
0.1
Argentia
- 3f Frankel (GB) x Princess Coup (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: M Zahra 56
3
0.9
Mokulua
- 3f Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Dear Demi (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: C E Conners Rdr: N Rawiller 56
4
1.0
So You See
- 3f So You Think (NZ) x Lady Cumquat (AUS) (Duke Of Marmalade (IRE))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: J Mott 56
5
1.8
Yearning
- 3f Snitzel (AUS) x Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
6
1.9
Hardly Sweet
- 3f All Too Hard (AUS) x Bee's Honey (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: Damian Lane 56
7
2.3
Lavish Girl
- 3f Xtravagant (NZ) x Ends In Tears (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: B Melham 56
8
2.4
Biscayne Bay
- 3f Sebring (AUS) x Fratianne (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jamie Kah 56
9
3.6
Stray
- 3f Thunder Fantasy (AUS) x Playa Del Carmen (AUS) (Uncle Mo (USA))
Tnr: A J Cummings Rdr: J Parr 56
10
28.6
Arktika
- 3f Snitzel (AUS) x Valkyrie Diva (AUS) (Jade Robbery (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: John Allen 56
More Reading...
I Am Invincible Colt Tops Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale
A colt by champion Yarraman Park Stud stallion I Am Invincible topped today's Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale when selling for $550,000.
Barb Raider Opens Her Account in Style
The late Rebel Raider has a promising filly in the Jerome Hunter-trained Barb Raider.
RAM Racing Join Forces with Newgate and GPI Racing for Everest
Western Australia’s RAM Racing have joined forces with Newgate and GPI Racing in their 2025 TAB Everest slot, reuniting with Group 1-winning sprinter Overpass and are set to bring a wave of loyal supporters from the west.
First Stakes Win for Barb Raider
A perfectly timed ride by Craig Williams on Barb Raider paved the way for the admirably honest three-year-old daughter of Rebel Raider to open her stakes account in Saturday’s Group III The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington.
Hot Lots Day 3 - Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1
The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale third and final session kicks off tonight our time and for those interested in the number one yearling sale in Europe we are taking a look at some of the yearlings tipped to top each day.
2025 Breeze Ups Postponed One Week
NZB has made the decision to postpone the Breeze Ups for the 2025 Ready to Run Sale due to unfavourable weather conditions with heavy rain and wind predicted through to Tuesday.
Barb Raider Digs Deep In The Roses
Courageous filly Barb Raider needed to dig deep to add Saturday’s  Group II ANZ Bloodstock News The Roses at Eagle Farm to a seasonal tally that includes the VRC A V Kewney Stakes and Group III The Vanity.
Andy Caps positive week for Alwyn Park
Alwyn Park Stud owner John Andrew has received a positive post-script to Magnificent Andy’s victory in the inaugural $1 million Golden Saddle (1200m) at Kalgoorlie on Saturday.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Joe Pride has already prepared a stakes-winner for Godolphin in blue-blood Lonhro colt Attica and he unleashed a debut winner for them by I Am Invincible at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
Cambridge Stud Mare Primed for Return
Patience has been a key factor in the rise of Jaarffi to the elite level and she’s in good order to open her six-year-old campaign at Rotorua.