Barry Flies High at Balak
Wednesday, 04 Mar 2026
Flying Brant 'Barry' was able to knock over his maiden in career start number two at Balaklava this afternoon in Race 3 the Sportsbet Racing Form Maiden Plate over the 1400m journey.
Barry secured a lovely steer from jockey Jackson Murphy, as the pair pushed forward from the start to co-lead the event. The speed in the race remained genuine as Jackson and Barry received pressure in the lead from $201 pop Bright Delight. Barry was able to shake off Bright Delight quickly rounding the home turn and was then joined by his main rivals in behind, the major challenge being the second favourite in Discreetly Blue who loomed large at the 150m mark, however, not be defied, Barry accepted the challenge, found another length and proved too strong to and through the finishing line to keep Discreetly Blue at bay.
It was a pleasing result for trainer and jockey alike, both of whom were eagerly awaiting their next victories, with a few things not rolling their way of late. Post race a happy Stephen Thoedore commented on both horse and jockey, stating "you can still see he's (Flying Brant) got a hell of a lot to learn but he's got a very bright future, the stable probably hasn't had the best of luck as late and I just said to Jackson, who's probably as desperate as me for a winner, just go to the front and up him for the rent and get going and take bad luck out of the equation, you could still see he wanted to run around a bit (late) like the locals at Murray Bridge at midnight but the best thing is he's got a stack of ability and he's only going to get better." Furthermore, Theodore commented "he's (Flying Brant) got a bright future, and we're always grateful in the Maroon and Gold when Campolina send horses our way".
Post race a jubilant Jackson Murphy commented "he's a pretty talented horse obviously he needs to learn a lot you could tell he was in front, but he was looking around waiting for the rest of them, so I think he's going to go a lot further then this and improve a lot of that run just give him that confidence to hit the line in front and he was waiting for em' but he's obviously a couple of levels above this".
Jackson also provided his thoughts on how the race transpired and how the horse responded under the race pressure, noting "I was always super confident in the way he was travelling throughout the run and even when they loomed up to us I knew I had plenty left in hand, it was more the fact of just trying to guide him and nurse him to that point, I had plenty left in the end, he was just good enough to run away from them at the line, so it was a good win".
The 3-year-old son of Flying Artie demonstrates talent, needs to iron out some greenness, however, appears destined for a bright future at STR. The victory today is very rewarding for Barry's big band of owners, led by the Campolina Syndicate, but also for the very hard working and diligent Jackson Murphy, who has been chasing that elusive win since relocating to SA from QLD. The opportunities will keep presenting for Jacko, as his confidence continues to prosper.
Barry secured a lovely steer from jockey Jackson Murphy, as the pair pushed forward from the start to co-lead the event. The speed in the race remained genuine as Jackson and Barry received pressure in the lead from $201 pop Bright Delight. Barry was able to shake off Bright Delight quickly rounding the home turn and was then joined by his main rivals in behind, the major challenge being the second favourite in Discreetly Blue who loomed large at the 150m mark, however, not be defied, Barry accepted the challenge, found another length and proved too strong to and through the finishing line to keep Discreetly Blue at bay.
It was a pleasing result for trainer and jockey alike, both of whom were eagerly awaiting their next victories, with a few things not rolling their way of late. Post race a happy Stephen Thoedore commented on both horse and jockey, stating "you can still see he's (Flying Brant) got a hell of a lot to learn but he's got a very bright future, the stable probably hasn't had the best of luck as late and I just said to Jackson, who's probably as desperate as me for a winner, just go to the front and up him for the rent and get going and take bad luck out of the equation, you could still see he wanted to run around a bit (late) like the locals at Murray Bridge at midnight but the best thing is he's got a stack of ability and he's only going to get better." Furthermore, Theodore commented "he's (Flying Brant) got a bright future, and we're always grateful in the Maroon and Gold when Campolina send horses our way".
Post race a jubilant Jackson Murphy commented "he's a pretty talented horse obviously he needs to learn a lot you could tell he was in front, but he was looking around waiting for the rest of them, so I think he's going to go a lot further then this and improve a lot of that run just give him that confidence to hit the line in front and he was waiting for em' but he's obviously a couple of levels above this".
Jackson also provided his thoughts on how the race transpired and how the horse responded under the race pressure, noting "I was always super confident in the way he was travelling throughout the run and even when they loomed up to us I knew I had plenty left in hand, it was more the fact of just trying to guide him and nurse him to that point, I had plenty left in the end, he was just good enough to run away from them at the line, so it was a good win".
The 3-year-old son of Flying Artie demonstrates talent, needs to iron out some greenness, however, appears destined for a bright future at STR. The victory today is very rewarding for Barry's big band of owners, led by the Campolina Syndicate, but also for the very hard working and diligent Jackson Murphy, who has been chasing that elusive win since relocating to SA from QLD. The opportunities will keep presenting for Jacko, as his confidence continues to prosper.
