By Jonny Turner
It’s not just a weight of numbers that gives Kirstin Barclay a massive hand in today’s Wyndham Cup.
Barclay won’t be lacking talent among the three live chances she takes to Young Quinn Raceway for the 3200m feature.
His backmark and proud record in cup races makes Paddyproudfoot the spearhead of Barclay’s three-pronged attack while Love On The Rocks and Tommy Waterhouse are also genuine winning hopes.
Paddyproudfoot went a strong race fresh up last weekend, running fourth behind Love On The Rocks in the Northern Southland Autumn Cup.
That run should prove to be vital tightener on Saturday as Paddyproudfoot hadn’t had a trial leading into it.
“He has come through the race really well, he had a good blow so it has tidied him up really nicely,” Barclay said.
“He and Love On The Rocks live in the same paddock and they have been ripping around the paddock like idiots.”
“Not being a smart arse, but I think he is the class horse of the field.”
“But obviously off 30m over 3200m, so there is a lot of traffic to get through.”
Love On The Rocks starts 20m in front of Paddyproudfoot on the 10m mark.
Though he steps back from racing off the front last weekend, the way the pacer has been beginning lately means he shouldn’t be too far from the early pace.
“He is on the unruly, but we probably don’t need him on the unruly.”
“Originally I put him there because he is a little bugger, he can misbehave when he is walking around at the start.”
“But he has been beginning really well and his standing start record is great.”
Mark Hurrell reunites with Love On The Rocks after guiding him to victory last weekend.
Tommy Waterhouse shares the 10m mark with Love On The Rocks.
The four-year-old stepped away safely at Gore two starts ago, but he missed away when locking wheels at the beginning of the Northern Southland Cup before that.
Barclay hopes Tim Williams will have the pacer settled to help him run a big race.
“He can step, but he is a wound-up little bugger.”
“I took him to the beach this week and he was really good and relaxed.”
“I have put Tim Williams on him this week to try something different.”
“He has driven him before and driven him well.”
Bookmakers opened Barclay’s trio at surprisingly juicy odds on Friday afternoon.
Paddyproudfoot was rated $9 hope with Love On The Rocks and Tommy Waterhouse both at $10.
Corravally Star opened the $4.50 favourite for the Wyndham Cup.
