Brent Barclay driver to watch at Winton

By Jonny Turner

Smart debutante Always Ticking heads an outstanding book of drives Brent Barclay has at Winton on Friday.

Barclay has driven several of the field for Southland’s first two-year-old fillies event of the season in their trials and workouts.

So the reinsman is more qualified than most to rate the Brett Gray trained Always Ticking as a serious winning threat.

The filly comes into race 1 on Friday after impressing in her most recent workout for the Gray stable.

“I liked the feel of her in her trial the other day,” Barclay said.

“She was pretty green – but she will go close.”

Barclay also combines with the Gray trained Julie Jaccka in Friday’s Gold Chip Final.

The mare has shown excellent manners in her two career starts so far.

“She has got great manners,” Barclay said.

“Just probably the 20m – if the two off the front step and run hard they are going to take a little bit of catching.”

“But I think she will go close.”

The Gray trained McLean looks an eachway chance for Barclay in race 10.

The gelding capped consistent form with a last-start win at Cromwell.

“He went great last start.”

“I would just like to get a good cart into it and he won’t be far away.”

Cool Phelan heads into Friday’s feature trot after an unlucky fifth at Cromwell.

The mare was held up by a tiring runner before the home turn but ran on well afterwards.

“It was probably a bad drive, I should have taken off at the 1000m but I didn’t.”

“The main thing was she hit the line really good.”

“If she backs up from Cromwell she should go a good race.”

Barclay reunites with With A Bang in the Riverton Cup on Friday.

The pacer looks a genuine winning hope in his first run this time in.

“Two weeks ago, I drove him at the workouts and he went super.”

“Then last week he was just OK but with the right run he should be thereabouts.”

The Clark Barron trained Young George looks another handy chance for Barclay in race 4.

“He has fitted in well at Clark’s again.”

“He’s got a good draw and we will look to make use of it.”

The reinsman also combines with Nek Delight (race 2), Connie Jaccka (race 3) and Meohmymartini (race 6).