Multiple Group One winner Callsign Mav is enjoying an easy time at the beach before a decision is made on his immediate future.
The son of Atlante was successful three-times at the highest level for Hastings horseman and part-owner John Bary and remained in Australia after he ran seventh in last year’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m).
Callsign Mav finished a close second in last month’s Gr.3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Caulfield in his first appearance from Danny O’Brien’s stable and was then unplaced in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) and All-Star Mile (1600m).
“I got a voicemail from Danny saying that he’s sent him to Barwon Heads for a week or 10 days and will see how he does,” Bary said.
“He was just a little bit jarry after that second run, he had two hard runs at Flemington and Danny was going to decide whether he pulls up stumps. I’m just an owner in the horse now and do as I’m told.”
Bary’s immediate domestic focus is on Sunday’s meeting at Tauherenikau where the in-form mare Lady Laguna spearheads his representation.
The daughter of Rios will attempt to complete a hat-trick of wins when she steps out in the Kuripuni Sports Bar & TAB Masterton Cup (2050m).
“She has always been a tough mare, but tough in a good way and really wants to do it. She is holding her condition well and looks good and we’ve taken her through the grades quietly,” Bary said.
A continuation of Lady Laguna’s form on Sunday would be rewarded with a crack at black type.
“If she can win again we will have a go at the Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup (Listed, 2200m),” Bary said.
The stable will also have Korubela Miss and Bold Iris in action on the undercard at Tauherenikau with the former to run in the Liquorland Masterton Handicap (1400m).
The Belardo three-year-old gave a strong account of herself two runs back when sixth in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and then ran fifth in an age group event on her home track.
“She is one of those fillies that hasn’t had the luck. She was good in the Desert Gold when she had a wide run the whole way and had to do a lot of work,” Bary said.
“Her run at Hastings was good, she wasn’t quite right and whether she stood on a stone coming across the float park I’m not sure, but in the parade ring she looked a bit funny.
“Anyway, she is a tough filly and wants to be a racehorse and will handle any juice in the track.”
Bold Iris has mixed her efforts this preparation and Bary is hoping gear additions can bring out the best in The Bold One four-year-old in the LJ Hooker & McHattie Realty Handicap (1600m).
“She’s doing my head in a bit. I’ll put the blinkers and tongue tie on and she looks well, is eating well and working well,” he said.
“I just really need to turn her form around and hope it’s on Sunday and the blinkers work the oracle, it’s been a bit frustrating.”
Bary is also looking forward to his talented and aptly named Wrote juvenile Best Seller running in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on Saturday week.
“I’m really happy with her and she will have a little run-up tomorrow and there are jump-outs at Waipukurau next Tuesday and she’ll have a track gallop there before them,” he said. “She is good and ready to rumble, I’m very happy with her.”
Best Seller turned in the best performance of her brief career last time out when runner-up in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
Bary won that race in 2013 with Recite, who went on to also claim the Sires’ Produce, and he can see a similarity between the two.
“She just keeps stepping up and is very good mentally and takes everything in her stride. She is a little bit like Recite and just does it all without any fuss, can handle the pressure and has speed, which is crucial.”
