After a track record performance at the harness racing meeting at Young by Barriettas Bliss last November, Riverina trainer Shaun Snudden could have been excused for dreaming about feature race success with the talented mare.
It was her second track record in the space of three runs but there were major concerns she may never race again after seemingly breaking down soon after the Young event.
“After the win at Young Barriettas Bliss couldn’t walk, we took her home and had the vet look at her and nothing could be found that was structurally wrong,” said Snudden.
“We even took her down to Shepparton to have the dye put through her to see if anything would show up on a scan but again it revealed nothing so I decided to give her a spell and there has been no dramas since, all we can think is that she must have pinched a nerve.”
Barriettas Bliss brought up her first win since the Young victory at Dubbo on Wednesday night when she won a heat of the Red Ochre Mares Classic.
“It was only her third run back, she has been getting fitter with each run and this looked a really good series for her so I was very pleased to see her win the heat.
“It is a really even series this year, there are a number of chances in the final and it is going to be harder for Barriettas Bliss on Sunday because it will be a full field and she will draw poorly because of her assessment.”
Snudden confirmed Barriettas Bliss would not be overtaxed in the lead up to Sunday’s $30,000 final.
“We brought her home and it is four and a half hours each way from my place to Dubbo so she has spent nine hours in the float on Wednesday."
"She will spend Thursday and Friday in the paddock and I will give her a light jog on Saturday morning."
“She’s very versatile, she can do a bit of work in her races but she is fast too so Corey (Bell driver) will have a couple of options and can drive her as required.”
Bell received praise from Snudden after the heat win.
“Corey does a very good job, I think that win was his 60th for the season which is a really good effort.”
Snudden has qualified a runner for the Red Ochre Mares Classic previously. Victoria May finished unplaced in 2013 but was unlucky after racing on the pegs and failed to get a clear run in the straight.
“Victoria May got held up a couple of years ago in the final but the Red Ochre is that sort of race because it always attracts some very nice mares and you need your fair share of luck."
“Barriettas Bliss is different to Victoria May because she can be driven a little bit more aggressively and doesn’t have to be saved up for the last shot at them.”
The Red Ochre Mares Classic is race six at Dubbo on Sunday afternoon and will begin at 3:54pm.
Greg Hayes – Harness Racing New South Wales