Barb Raider returns with win in The Vanity

[Wandering Eyes]

Barb Raider ridden by Craig Williams returns to the mounting yard after winning the The TAB Vanity at Flemington Racecourse on February 19, 2022 in Flemington, Australia. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

The well backed Barb Raider has won the Group 3 Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday for trainer Jerome Hunter.

Barb Raider opened up $5.50 on Sportsbet before being backed into a $2.90 favourite, taking over favouritism from the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Socialist.

The three-year-old daughter of Rebel Raider settled midfield for jockey Craig Williams before unleashing a strong finish to score by three-quarters of a length beating home the Maher & Eustace-trained Cardigan Queen.

The Mornington-trained filly was first-up for the event after showing plenty of promise in the Spring, which included a third placing in the Group 1 1000 Guineas at Caulfield (1600m).

Barb Raider and @CWilliamsJockey power away to win the TAB Vanity. pic.twitter.com/K6dBLWkanm

— 7HorseRacing (@7horseracing) February 19, 2022

Trainer Jerome Hunter was over-joyed after the Group 3 event.

“It’s just sensational,” he emotionally stated when interviewed by Racing.com post-race.

“You hope they comeback, and this whole preparation… she’s just done everything one-hundred percent.”

Hunter was asked if Barb Raider was the best horse he had trained.

“Yeah, by far,” he simply stated.

Hunter has several options of where to go next with his talented filly.

“We’ll just keep going. Find a mile race. Hopefully go to Sydney if she’s good enough and get some big races.”

Hunter was asked about a possible tilt at the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington in two weeks time.

“We’ll think about it,” he said with hesitation.

Jockey Craig Williams was pleased with the progression that the filly has shown so far.

“I do love her maturity, her natural progression from her first preparation.

“[She’s] still a bit inclined to want to go left-handed, but nowhere near as bad as what she was getting towards at the end of her first preparation.”

Williams indicated that he would like to stay with the filly this preparation and believes that the connections have plenty of options of where to go with her.

“I think the options are there for the owners and for Jerome and looking forward to seeing what they do actually target with her.”

The Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) to be run at Rosehill Gardens on March 26 is a possible target for the filly. She is quoted as a $21 chance for the event.

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