HER record when she arrived on Australian soil might have been anything but impressive, but come this Friday night Ireby Betty shapes as one of the biggest threats in the Bathurst Harness Racing Club’s Soldiers Saddle Final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A Klondike Kid x Triumphant Beauty filly, Ireby Betty was purchased from New Zealand and placed in the care of Menangle trainer KerryAnn Turner.
She had just one win and a single placing from 25 career starts.
But under the guidance of Turner and driver Robert Morris, Ireby Betty cruised to an impressive win in the first of last Wednesday night’s 2,260 metres Soldiers Saddle heats at the Bathurst Paceway.
She crossed the line 121/2m clear of her nearest rival in what was her first victory since October 25 last year.
“We’ve had her for a month, about 51/2 weeks. She is a nice mare,” Morris said.
“Me and Kez bring a few over from New Zealand. When we get them back we leave them be for four or five days as it is a big change. They don’t tend to like the heat.
“We give them a fortnight to adjust and then go from there.”
While Ireby Betty did not trial before heading to Bathurst to take part in the annual Soldiers Saddle series, the reputation of the Morris-Turner combination played a role in seeing their newcomer start her heat as the $3.60 favourite.
The little roan coloured filly was hard to miss as she zipped away from her barrier two draw and crossed to take up front spot. It was a lead that was never challenged.
With Kenny Dee Dee sitting some two lengths behind her in the trail, Ireby Betty cruised through the first half of the mile in a 30.8 seconds split.
While John O’Shea made a three-wide move with Jester Oh Jester and then parked outside the leader, Morris was not at all troubled.
It soon became apparent why.
Ireby Betty covered the third quarter in a quick 28.7 seconds and in doing so, enjoyed a lead of around two lengths into the final bend.
By the time she had straightened, that margin had further increased, and she left her rivals in her wake as she clocked the quickest sectional of the heat – a 28.2 effort – on her way to claiming victory.
“She was comfortable the whole way,” Morris said after a 56.9 seconds run home on a track which had seen plenty of rain.
“She raced good, so I am very happy.”
The win booked Ireby Betty a place in the $12,000 final which will be contested this Friday night.
With second and third place also advancing, the battle for minor placings behind Ireby Betty was still important.
Kenny Dee Dee ($4.60) grabbed second and the Bernie Hewitt- trained and driven gelding was comfortable in doing so with the chasing pack a further 18m behind led by Haka Shannon ($4.80, Emma Turnbull).
Ireby Betty’s effort was the equal best mile rate of the four heats as she and Dubbo hopeful Karloo Ten Seventy clocked a 1:59.5.
