Trish Dunell
Hawke’s Bay trainer John Bary secured his 200th New Zealand win as a trainer on Saturday and he believes the horse he reached the milestone with has the potential to be his next stable star.
That horse is talented two-year-old The Fugitive, who won the Goodwood Stud 2YO Premier (1100m) at Awapuni by 2-1/2 lengths and Bary has labelled the colt as the best juvenile in his stable.
“He’s my number one two-year-old, he’s always been at the top of the pecking order just on professionalism on the track,” he said. “We have just been waiting to unleash him really.”
While only having the one start to date, Bary is already holding the son of Wanted in great esteem, mentioning him in the same breath as Group One performer The Hombre and five-time Group One winner Jimmy Choux.
“I feel reminiscent of The Hombre and Jimmy Choux in their two-year-old days,” Bary said.
“Time will tell, we don’t know what we beat on Saturday, but he’s the real deal, I have got no doubt about that.”
While The Fugitive is ineligible for the rich Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) next month, Bary is eyeing the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in March with his charge.
“The Group One in Auckland is the main aim,” Bary said. “Jimmy (Choux) ran third in it and he’s the only other runner I’ve had in it.”