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.
With regular rider Craig Williams in the saddle, the Jerome Hunter-trained daughter of Rebel Raider enjoyed the run of the race from an inside barrier. She needed to repel a series of challengers in the straight before holding the Not A Single Doubt filly Belle Savoir by a short-neck.
The Preferment filly Smirk was the same distance back in third.
Barb Raider was making her first start since finishing second to the Deep Impact filly Glint Of Hope (JPN) in the Group 1 SAJC Schweppes Australasian Oaks at Morphettville on April 30.
Hunter plans to start the daughter of VRC Victoria Derby and SAJC South Australian Derby winner Rebel Raider in next week’s Group 1 BTC Queensland Oaks.
“It was a 10 out of 10 ride, it really was. Magnificent,” Hunter said.
“She’s had a month between runs as well, so I think she’ll be even better heading towards the Oaks.
“Having to back up next week is not ideal but we’re all in the same boat. We had bad weather last week, which could have been a blessing in disguise for us I think because we tried her on a heavy track in Sydney and it didn’t work out.”
“We will make sure we get her home and rest her up, but the way she pulls up, she recovers (so well), she’s just a racehorse. She’ll go home and straight away look for her feed.”
A homebred for Graebar Park's Graeme Gathercole, Barb Raider advances her record to five wins, three seconds and two thirds with earnings of $773,175
She 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.
