by Graham Fischer
February 27, Bayview Harbour
Western Victorian trainer Kevin Brough landed his third Kindergarten Stakes win in the past nine years when Bayview Harbour scored an exciting photo-finish win in the 2017 South Australian feature.
The win might have surprised many punters as a lot preferred stablemate They Wantano which was backed from $2.80 to start the $2.20 favourite.
However, it was Bayview Harbour, an $11.60 chance driven by Jock Dunlop, which prevailed by a half head from Don’t Tell William ($3.70) with Girls In Charge ($6.20), nine metres away third.
The victory followed previous Brough wins in the race with Hes Cheap (2009) and Just Wantano (2015). For Dunlop, it was his second straight win in the race having scored on Emain Macha in 2016.
Brough’s partner Rebecca East said the win didn’t surprise.
“We’ve always had a nice opinion of Bayview Harbour but he was as bit immature early,” East said.
“He has improved with racing and tonight was a worthy reward.
“They Wantano didn’t have a lot of luck and never really had a chance but ran on well. She is still immature.”
East trains the third placegetter Girls In Charge and felt she should have finished closer.
“Mick (driver Michael Norman) was held up getting to the home turn but the filly hit the line strongly. She is on the improve and a nice filly.”
Bayview Harbour is owned by longtime Brough client Dennis Howard from Port MacDonnell, South Australia’s southernmost town, about 477km, south-east of Adelaide, and 28km south of Mount Gambier.
Don’t Tell William began fast from gate six to lead the Kindergarten Stakes field and reinswoman Lisa Ryan backed off the speed with quarters of 32.3 and 32.8.
Dunlop, sitting near last made his move with just over a lap to go quickly moving around the outside to sit parked.
“I knew the speed was off and felt it I sat back there was no chance of winning,” Dunlop said.
“Wayne (Wayne Hill on Just Wantano) was in front of me but didn’t come out so I kept going to get outside the leader.”
Dunlop kept the pressure on down the back with a 28.8 third quarter and the front pair drew clear for a two-horse ‘war’.
Bayview Harbour kept coming but, equally, Don’t Tell William wouldn’t give up and fought on strongly but the former prevailed in a photo.
The pair are expected to clash again later in the year as both are being aimed towards the rich Southern Cross series.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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