Reserve Fox Reaps Richmond Riches

LADY luck was firmly in the corner of Portland owner/trainer Peter Barnes at Richmond last Friday night, who guided his exciting prospect My Mate Fox to a stunning victory in the $40,000 to-the-winner Ladbrokes Richmond Riches Final (535m).

Securing a start in the finale as first reserve following the race morning scratching of second favourite Uncle Donuts, My Mate Fox – a son of My Bro Fabio and Reservoir Time – made full use of his late call up, defeating a fast finishing Rev Fred Sloy by three-quarters of a length in a slick 30.68.
In a race choc-full of depth, Veloce Nero – one of three runners for trainer John Finn – finished third another length away, with heavily backed favourite Two Times Twice finishing sixth, after just a moderate getaway.
For owner/trainer and breeder Peter Barnes, Friday night's unexpected Riches success delivered the Portland based conditioner a career highlight, proud as punch with his charge's stellar performance.
"I got the call Friday morning to say he'd got a run (in the final), we were in race four but it was great to get a start and I did think he was well boxed in two. A lot of people think he's better boxed wide and he can handle it but I prefer him inside," said Barnes earlier this week.
"I really felt for Sam (Sultana) having to scratch from such a big race, Sam and Michelle actually train two of My Mate Fox's littermates Tornado Time and My Bro Connor for me so the connection is there. I know they thought they were well boxed in two so when we went into that draw I thought that we probably were as well. And that's how it played out in the end."
My Mate Fox went into Friday night's Richmond Riches Final as the baby of the field at 23 months of age, which will again be the case at Wentworth Park this Saturday night when he tackles a red-hot second heat of the Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic, opposing among others, Group 1 Harrison-Dawson hero My Redeemer.
"To be honest I was pretty half-hearted about nominating for the series but you can only go in these races once and he's earnt his chance, but it was very much a last minute option," added Barnes.
"As it turns out it looks like we've struck the hardest heat and box eight but it's not the end of the world if he doesn't progress, he's still got a lot ahead of him and I'll be happy to just take my time with him and work through the grades."
Winner of his opening two career starts in a heat and semi-final of the Group 3 Magic Maiden at Wentworth Park over the Easter Carnival, finishing down the track in the final, My Mate Fox extended his record to four wins from nine starts with Friday night's Richmond Riches triumph, his stake earnings spiraling to just a tick under $50,000.
"I remember these pups were about four weeks old when the ban (on the industry) was announced and I like so many others was thinking what am I going to do?" recalled Barnes.
"Thankfully we came through that and these pups have shown quite a bit through break-in but especially My Mate Fox, he broke in the quickest.
"I actually had two tickets for the (Richmond Riches) series, one for My Mate Fox and one for his sister Tornado Time. When she got injured we moved to My Bro Connor but he went a bit off so then I looked to Conzara Blue who does have a lot of ability. She did a bit wrong before the start of the series which put pay to that idea so as it turned out I only used one of the tickets, its funny how things work out!"
Given the early success of Reservoir Time's first litter to My Bro Fabio, Barnes made the move recently to serve her with boom sire Fernando Bale, which unfortunately didn't materialize with her levels not aligning.
"That was a bit disappointing, her seasons are a bit all over the place as well so we'll look to next time now," declared Barnes.
"I was really keen to use My Bro Fabio first up with her, I remember reading when he was racing the opinion Brooke and Jamie (Ennis) had of him and how keen they were to stand him at stud and it really stuck in my mind."