TASMANIAN harness racing trainer Troy Hillier has made some handy purchases over the years but his latest venture is his best.
Hillier claimed nine-year-old pacer Im Barney Rubble in a claiming race at Melton in Victoria at the end of October last year for $10,000 and yesterday at Luxbet Park the gelding scored an emphatic win in the $20,000 Hobart Pacing Cup over 3060 metres.
Im Barney Rubble ($4.80) started off the front row in the standing start event and stepped straight to the front with the trainer's twin brother Rohan Hillier in the sulky.
The gelding set a solid pace and when he was asked to extend turning for home he careered away from his rivals to score by 27 metres from Major Callum ($3 favourite) with Just Knew $4.90) a half-head away third.
"I had my eye on the horse for a while before I bought him because I thought he might be able to win a few races here in Tasmania," Troy Hiller said.
"He was with trainer Lance Justice and the horse wasn't going all that well having not won for about 30 starts, which is why he was put in claiming races over there.
"But I'd watched replays of a few of his runs earlier in the year and I thought a change of scenery and different training environment might rejuvenate the horse so I took a punt and claimed him.
"He ran second at is first start for me in Launceston in the Danbury Park Cup but two starts later he won his Hobart Pacing Cup heat and that almost paid for him.
"He's led today and in the end he's absolutely blitzed them so hopefully he can retain this form and go on and win more races."
Im Barney Rubble (Life Sign-Pebbles) has had 120 starts for 19 wins and 13 minor placings form $171,000 in prizemoney and Hillier confirmed his next main mission will be the Devonport Cup.
Peter Staples