Betoota success has Doyle ready for Birdsville

By Jordan Gerrans

Hoop Jade Doyle believes Birdsville Cup contender Barocco Bar is ready to strike following an encouraging lead-up run at Betoota on Saturday afternoon.

The Patrick Johnston-prepared Barocco Bar started as an equal favourite for the Betoota Cup and finished third under the urgings of jockey Doyle.

The trio will be back together at Birdsville this Saturday as they chase the coveted $70,000 Birdsville Cup.

The Darwin galloper was handed a wide gate and Doyle thinks the Betoota run will have prepared Barocco Bar nicely for his Birdsville assignment.

“He really relishes these dirt tracks and can get through any conditions,” Doyle said.

“That’s what I really like about him; he’s a nice front-running horse.

“He’s got a good turn of foot, he can hold a good pace for a long time and he should be really competitive in the Birdsville Cup.

“I think on Saturday, he might have been a little bit fresh and just wanted to overdo it early, but I still thought he finished off well.

“The winner of the Betoota Cup was the horse to beat, Deciduous. 

"In the Birdsville Cup, he’ll get in with a light weight, as well, which will always help.

“Just being an on-pace horse on these dirt tracks is a big advantage, as well.”

Barocco Bar won the Katherine Cup with Doyle in the saddle in the middle of August before the team ventured across to Queensland.

The 28-year-old jockey is usually South Australian-based, but has been on the road in recent months after completing her apprenticeship.

She rode across the Northern Territory’s recent carnival before making her way south.

Doyle took mounts at Mount Isa in the week prior to the Betoota meeting, where she secured a victory in the opening event aboard Elite Blonde for Charleville trainer Vivian Jones.

The hoop is relishing her first experience competing in the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival.

She was glad to record her first winner in the Sunshine State and hopes there is more to come across the two-day Birdsville meeting before heading to Bedourie to round out the popular circuit.

“It was really good to ride a winner for Viv,” she said.

“It was a good way to start the circuit. 

"It’s a bit different riding at Betoota, it’s a pretty tight-turning track and then a very, very long straight.

“So, I don’t think I’ve ridden anywhere even similar to that, but it was good.

“I was lucky enough to pick up that ride. Robert Faehr actually helped me out with getting the ride.

“The horse was really tough, actually. I sent her to the front and we did get pressured the whole way.

“That second horse probably headed us at the 100 metre mark and she fought back really strong and was able to get out in front, so that was really good.”

Broadcaster Andrew Watts, who called the Betoota meeting, noted that Elite Blonde fought back off the canvas in the closing stages to win the Class B Handicap over 800 metres.

Doyle has been the travelling rider for conditioners Kym Healy and Philip Cole in recent months.

“I’ve really enjoyed it,” she said.

“I’m not that keen on going home (laughs), but I suppose I’d better turn back at some point.

“It’s been really good fun and I’ve just enjoyed riding at different places I’ve never seen before and all that.”

As well as her Cup mount, the jockey will take three rides for Cole on Saturday and one for Healy across the two days of the Birdsville festivities.

The Cup is the feature on Saturday, while on Friday, the Big Red offers $45,000 for the top sprinters.

Doyle has been booked to partner Healy’s Lucky Fortuna, who finished fourth over 1000 metres at Betoota.

“She’s always a good chance,” the jockey said.

“She ran fair at Betoota. 

"It was probably her first time going that direction, so back to the other way of going at Birdsville, she’ll probably be a bit happier.

“She’s probably more of a 1200 metre horse, but she’s always competitive.”