THOROUGHBRED

The Group 1 Stewart Browne GRP NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes for the fillies and mares was taken out in a tight finish by BARINKA on Saturday at Te Aroha.

She settled on the pace in 4th position getting the perfect drag up in the one-one, she was angled out when they straightened for the run home and ground her way to the lead close to home hitting the line to win by a head from the the fast finishing SMOULDER, it was a neck back to FLEUR DE LUNE who fought hard after leading them up. The 1600 meters was run in 1.35.81 on a slow7 track.

Barinka is a 6 year old mare by SHINKO KING - HAY BARLU it was her 8th win from 34 starts, she is trained by Karen Zimmerman and was ridden by Hayden Tinsley.

Karen Zimmerman, " It's sensational, has been a long time between drinks for Group One's and I've got the right filly. It was just the wide draw that worried me but Hayden had a plan and it's been spot on. "

Hayden Tinsley, " I gave her one or two behind the saddle after straightening and there was no response, she was going up and down on the spot as fast as she could, I knew she was trying her heart out so I just kept the momentum up and kept her balanced and she has held on."