Lifes A Beach for Barron

By Jonny Turner

Some outside the square thinking has Lifes A Beach exactly where trainer Tony Barron wants her ahead of next month’s Australasian Breeders Crown.

The three-year-old sprinted to victory in race 3 at Addington on Thursday night, second up from her spell.

Following her big second at the Harness Jewels, Barron put the filly aside and since he has brought her into work Lifes A Beach has thrilled her trainer.

“I have been very, very happy with her,” Barron said.

“I was actually a bit disappointed that she got beaten first up but I think the winner (Allegra) is a pretty smart filly.”

“But I have been rapt with her ever since she has come back in.”
“She has rounded up, she has done very well, she looks terrific and her coat is terrific.”

Lifes A Beach is nowhere near her peak, with Barron timing his run into the Breeders Crown in Victoria with the filly.

Part of Barron’s plan has involved paddock training.

“She is nowhere near screwed down yet, I have actually been paddock training her, just to keep her on the grass.”

“I am hoping I can do that right up until she goes to Australia because she won’t see much grass there.”

“She was in a muck lather when she started, she is just a bit soft yet.”

“We might get one more start into her before she heads over to Victoria.”

The Australasian Breeders Crown is likely to be Lifes A Beach’s only mission in Australia.

Barron considered a tilt at the Victoria Oaks, which will be run this weekend, but decided against it.

“At this stage it’s her only aim, I had half an inclination to go over for the Victoria Oaks but the lockdown put an end to that.”

“I learned a lot off Barry Purdon and one thing he always said was if you have a plan A don’t change it.”

“Don’t go rushing to another race, just stick to your plan and 9 times out of 10 it will come off.”

Barron produced a double at the Addington meeting when Glassy Webb took out race 4.

The trainer’s niece Ellie Barron was in the cart, carrying on a family tradition that had produced dozens upon dozens of winners in Southland.

Tony Barron won several Southland trainers with Ellie’s father Clark Barron driving his team.

“He has improved, this horse,” Barron said.

“I actually said to Ellie before the race this would be a good one for your old man, he just keeps rolling.”

“He hasn’t got a 27sec quarter (400m) in him but he just keeps going and Ellie drove him perfectly.”

Barron described Glassy Webb as one of the most difficult horses he has trained, owing to fiery temperament.