Boxing champ thrilled by namesake

Tony and Professor Barimah Azumah Nelson

He may live in the West African nation of Ghana, but former triple world champion boxer Azumah Nelson is keeping a close watch on the deeds of his namesake, rising harness racing star, Barimah.

"Barimah" is the Ashanti word for "brave one", and the pacer is certainly living up to his name, with this season posting four wins and two seconds from six starts, amassing $60,000 in stakes.

The title "Barimah" was given to Nelson by the Ashanti King at the height of the champ's boxing career during the 1980s.

Tony has had a close friendship with Nelson, and has been waiting for the right horse to name in his honor.

"I have used 'Azumah' in naming a few horses but it was just a matter of waiting for a special one to carry the name 'Barimah'," Tony said.

"He showed me early days that he was going to be much better than average and I'm so happy that I have picked the right horse for that name.

"I was in touch with Azumah before Christmas and he'd been keeping tabs on Barimah.  He was excited that the horse had been so brave in winning some of those races.

"He's a harness racing fan and wished everyone success in the New Year."

Barimah will need not only bravery, but an ounce of luck, from a tricky second-row draw at Globe Derby on Saturday night in the Group One $100,000 South Australian Pacing Cup.

Barimah comes from barrier 9 (two off the back row), with the John Justice-trained Hotasel in front of him.  Fingers crossed that Hotasel shows his customary gate speed, which may give Barimah a handy spot early.

Dual interdominion placegetter Flaming Flutter (former South Australian Geoff Webster) has drawn favorably in barrier 5.

Square gaiter Irish Whisper, winner of 14 races, is going around in the $30,000 South Australian Trotters Cup.  

He is the sole back-marker off 30 metres in a race that has plenty of class.  

But Irish Whisper has proved in recent months that he is big-time performer, having previously won the St Arnaud Cup (Nov 15) and Cobram Cup (Dec 27).

The Irish Whisper/Damian Wilson combination will be hard to hold out again.

'Bondi' one to watch

Martin and Kaye Hartnett's  Illawong Bondi gave a clear message that he could be one to follow in coming weeks with a handy trial win on Tuesday night.

The two-year-old sired by Somebeachsomewhere was impressive at the Bendigo trials, posting a sub-two minute mile rate on a rain-affected track.

"We were disappointed with him at Leeton in the Breeders' Plate series but we've altered a few things and now we seem to have him on the right track," Tony said.

While "Bondi" did not get through to the Breeders Plate final, his stable-mates Tuakau Beach and Manos de Piedra ran fourth and fifth behind the smart Peter Manning-trained Easter Jolt.

So it was back to the trials for Bondi, and he didnt put a foot wrong.

The bay colt posted a mile rate of 1:59.6 with a last half of 59 seconds (final quarter 29.5) to score by two metres over the Matthew Gath-trained Swamper, with a further 20 metres back to Make Mine Joe (Glenn Douglas). 

Stable stars Barimah and Irish Whisper are in at Globe Derby Park on Saturday night, Barimah in the $100,000 South Australian Pacing Cup and Irish Whisper in the $30,000 Trotters Cup.

They are flying on the training track at home - good luck to connections.

Two make it through to rich breeders' final

A road trip to Leeton for the heats of the rich MIA Breeders Plate series for two year olds saw two stable representatives in Manos de Piedra and Tuakau Beach get through to the $40,000 final on January 1.

The pair ran third and second respectively in their heats at their first race starts and are sure to improve in the big final with that run under their belt.

Manos de Piedra, although beaten a fair distance, showed plenty of heart by racing wide and chasing the runaway leaders

Tuakau Beach was driven a treat by Wilson, saving ground along the pegs and making a dive at the winner over the closing stages. 

The other stable representative, Illawong Bondi, ran fifth, missing the final, but will go around in the consolation. Tony is confident with a good draw and reasonable luck that the colt will show big improvement.

"I plan to tinker a little bit with his gear this week and if we can come up with the right combination he will be in the mix."

Barimah gallant in cup

Stable star "Bazza" (Barimah) was gallant in defeat in the Group Three Jim Phillips Memorial Cobram Pacing Cup.

Barimah did himself no favors with a tardy beginning, which was always going to make it a huge task to get into the action. 

He was always at the rear of the field but once again showed he is as tough as nails by going down by a metre to 100-1 shot Kotare Roland.

Tony still plans to aim Bazza at the Hunter Cup, as it's no secret he is extremely pleased with the pacer at present.

The other stable runner at Cobram, Fours Enuf Tas, continued his run of consistent form with a third behind the smart Juliette Bromac.

It was an excellent performance in a slick mile-rate, so it might pay to keep following the pacer in his next few outings.

Luck of the Irish in Cobram Trotters Cup for stable whisper followers

What a fantastic and tough win by our square-gaiter Irish Whisper, raced by Murray Notman, in the Group 3 Central Murray Credit Union Cobram Trotters Cup on Sunday.

"Irish" had the unenviable task off a 20 metre handicap over the 2678 metre journey but pulled out plenty when the whips were cracking and drew away in the final stages, scoring by two metres over Lightning Calder.

The $20,600 Trotters Cup was his second feature win in the past few months, having previously won the St Arnaud Cup.

Irish's form on paper did not reflect his performances of late -- he has been competing at the top level against some of Victoria's best trotters.

His dedicated band of followers were rewarded for their loyalty, with the eight-year-old paying $14.80 on the Victorian TAB for the Cobram Cup win!  Well done gang!

Tony was pleased with Irish Whisper's trackwork in recent weeks and expected him to run a big race.

"We've changed his trackwork routine a little and he felt strong going into the race."

Driver Damian Wilson handled some tricky moments early in the race, navigating Irish Whisper neatly between several gallopers before landing a handy position in the one-out line.  In the latter stages he ducked in behind the bold frontrunner My High Expectations (David Aiken)  to save ground before finding a way out on the home corner and finding the line strongly.

MIA Breeders' Plate mission

The stable has three runners in the heats of the rich MIA breeders' Plate series for two-year- olds at Leeton on Saturday night

It's no secret Tony would love to win his way through the heats into the $40,000 final of the Southern Central Engineering MIA Breeders' Plate on January 1, as he grew up in the Leeton District.

In the first heat Courage Under Fire colt Manos de Piedra, owned by Errol Stockton, has drawn awkwardly in the number 6 alley outside the front row, while in the second heat, Illawong Bondi has drawn a similar barrier for owners Martin and Kaye Hartnett.

The stable's third runner Tuakau Beach, for owners Joe Carbone, Joe Sergi and Jason Restagno, had better luck with the barrier draw, coming out of the pole position, and should be prominent, although he meets three opponents who have race experience and are showing promise.

Tony has confirmed Barimah, a runner in Sunday's $30,000 Cobram Cup, will be nominated for the prestigious Hunter Cup on February 6.

The five year old is working sensationally on the track at home and finger's crossed all goes well at Cobram

"As yet I haven't sat down and discussed it with the owners, but if he holds his form in the Hunter Cup I would hope he would be in the running for an invitation to the Cordina Sprint at Menangle the following week," he said.

"I'm amazed at how he's come along and continues to get stronger.  His track work at home this past fortnight has been terrific."

Bondi on track for Leeton

Dr Martin Hartnett and his wife Kaye, who have been staunch and successful supporters of harness racing over many years, may have another exciting youngster emerging.

Illawong Bondi posted a nice trial win recently at Shepparton.  The youngster sired by the popular Somebeachsomewhere USA is out of She Aint Fakin, a full sister to Blacks a Fake.

Understandably Tony has his fingers crossed for big things from Illawong Bondi, with such a fine pedigree.

"He is a well put-together horse and is doing everything we ask of him at the moment," Tony said.

"The plan is to race Illawong Bondi in the Leeton Breeders' Plate on Boxing Day.  The heats of the plate are $5100 and the final on New Year's Day is $40,000, so it would be a nice series to qualify for.

"Martin and Kaye deserve all the success that comes their way, because they have been fantastic supporters of the sport as owners and breeders for decades."

The Hartnetts have enjoyed success with many of the horses they have raced under the "Illawong" prefix.

Meanwhile...

Stable pin-up boy Barimah is bowling along nicely at St Fort, with his next assignment being the Cobram Cup on December 27.

The 5 yo Bettors Delight-sired gelding is in tip-top condition despite some tough racing of late.

"He had a few light days after his recent Yarra Valley Cup win and deservedly so," Tony said.

"This week we have started stepping him up again, and that wont hurt him -- he thrives on it," he said.

Barimah brilliant in Yarra Valley Cup

Barimah stamped himself as one of Victoria's brightest prospects of the season with a brilliant win in the $30,000 Group Three Yarra Valley Cup on Friday.

The five year old raced back in the field and was last with a lap to go with reinsman Damian Wilson biding his time for a cart into the race.

When Hector Jay Jay made his forward move, Wilson jumped on his back but on straightening he was still giving the leading brigade a four length advantage.

He unleashed one of the most brilliant sprints seen on the track for a long time, and gobbled up the leaders to score a decisive victory.

Trainer Tony Peacock set the gelding for the race six weeks ago as stepping stone to the Hunter Cup.

Peacock has always had the opinion that Barimah may be a better horse coming from off the pace, and this was certainly evident in his whirlwind finish.

Peacock was full of praise for Wilson's game cup-winning drive.

"It's great for Damian to be enjoying these terrific victories after what he went through a few years ago after his horrific fall at Kilmore," he said.

The stable is now focussing on the Wedderburn Trotters Cup on Sunday with eight-year-old Irish Whisper.

"Irish" faces a tough task off the back-mark of 40 metres, but he is sure to be a major player in the event.

New mums galore!

Among the recent new mums at St Fort has been Jupiters Darling, who gave birth to a striking colt by Alta Christiano.

Tony, along with vet Vanessa, and the team, are thrilled with the newcomer, owned by one of Tony's major stable supporters, Pooba Govender.

Jupiters Darllng was previously owned by Robert Watson, renowned for his strong "Soho" breeding lines.

'Tas' comes up trumps at home track

A daring early-race move by reinsman Damian Wilson paved the way for Fours Enuf Tas to record an impressive win at Echuca last night.

Fours Enuf Tas, who was sent out race favorite, was crossed soon after the start by Another Ay Jay, but Wilson decided to let the dust settle before letting loose and assuming control.

The five year old Pooba Govender-owned pacer appeared to be in cruise control mode and went to the line eye-catching fashion to score by five metres.

The Peacock team has an exciting weekend ahead, with Barimah running in the Group 3 $30,000 Yarra Valley Pacing Cup on Friday and square gaiter Irish Whisper lining up in the Wedderburn Trotters Cup on Sunday.

Trainer Tony Peacock is confident Barimah will step cleanly in his standing start debut, and hopes he is up to the fight with the very talented Hector Jay Jay.

"He's pulled up amazingly well after his tough win at Melton last weekend and Friday is hopefully another stepping stone towards a Hunter Cup tilt," he said.

The stable is continuing its development of promising youngsters, with a few off to the Shepparton trials tonight.  If  you want to get in on the thrill of harness racing limited shares are available in some exceptionally well-bred youngsters.

If you are interested, ring Tony for an appointment to visit St Fort.

Barimah steps out for Yarra Valley Cup

Stable pin-up boy Barimah heads to Yarra Valley on Friday afternoon with the Group 3 $30,000 Pacing Cup in his sights.

The Bettors Delight gelding, winner of three from four outings this season, makes his standing start debut in the cup.

However trainer Tony Peacock is confident Barimah will be on his best behavior.

"We took him up to Shepparton in October to get him qualified for standing start events," Tony said.

"I actually drove him myself and obviously he passed the trial with flying colors.

"David Aitken's horse Bryce Cooper beat us by 7 metres and they zipped home over the last half in 56.2 seconds, so all was good."

Barimah, with 9 wins from 21 career starts, is nearing the magical $100,000 stakes mark, with earnings of $95,000.

The cup has attracted a small field of seven, but there are some in-form horses who will be itching to give Barimah some hot opposition, such as Hector Jay Jay and Savesometimetodream.

Meanwhile, talented trotter Irish Whisper will tackle the $12,000 Wedderburn Trotters Cup on Sunday.

The 8yo gelding is not putting a foot wrong in his races and is sure to be a prominent player.

"His trackwork has been very good and we certainly rate him a big chance in the cup," Tony said.

A number of youngsters are continuing to impress as they are being put through their paces at St Fort.

Shares are available, so why not check them out first-hand?  Contact Tony for an appointment.

Busy breeding season at St Fort

The breeding season is hitting top gear and the staff at St Fort make every effort to ensure the best results for every breeder.

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All in a day's work...vet Vanessa Slack-Smith with one of the 15 mares she scanned at St Fort yesterday

Mares at St Fort are served by Artificial Insemination, meaning owners can book services to any of the major sires standing in Australia, and all the logistics and work are taken care of by  our staff.

Leading equine vet Vanessa Slack-Smith oversees the breeding operations, and was yesterday scanning and pregnancy testing mares ready for breeding.  And 15 mares is a solid day's work!  Thanks Vanessa!

Our new facilities for broodmares and foals at St Fort are state-of-the-art and purpose-built with the safety of mares, foals and handlers the top priority. 

If you would like to let us take care of your mare's breeding and/or foaling season, get in touch with Tony.

Living up to his namesake!

PROMISING pacer Barimah lived up to his namesake when he produced a strong victory in the Gordon Rothacker Memorial at Tabcorp Park Melton last night.

After racing outside the leader, Barimah appeared to be ‘on the ropes’ turning for home, but rose from the ‘canvass’ to score by a head from Beach Shack, with Lots More Art a half-neck away third.

Read Paul Courts full story here...

Barimah lands TKO punch in championship

Five year old gelding Barimah kept the Peacock stable flag flying high with a tenacious win in the Group Three Gordon Rothacker Memorial Championship Final at Melton.

The pacer, forced to do all the work in the breeze outside the leader, showed his never-say-die attributes with a tough victory.

Barimah responded well to vigorous driving by Damian Wilson to hold off multiple challengers over the final 80 stretch.

"That win would be up there among the toughest I've had - he certainly dug deep and responded when he had to," Tony said after the race.

"Barimah went 1:53.4 for the 1750 metres, which was just three-tenths of a second slower than Keayang Steamer posted in winning the Sokyola Sprint, so it was certainly a super win," he said.

"We thought he may have been in for a tough run from the number four alley and that proved to be the case."

Barimah is owned by Pooba Govender, the South Australian Cormack family and the Nicholsons from West Wyalong.

While the other Peacock stable runner at Melton, Irish Whisper finished out of a place in the Group Three Trotters Cup, it was always going to be a difficult assignment when he settled near the rear.

The leader and winner, the French trotter, Used To Me, sailed along out in front, and when Greg Sugars put his foot down with a 28.2 sec third quarter and a blistering 27.7 final quarter, it was going to be near-impossible for Irish Whisper to get into the action.

But the eight-year-old Murray Notman-owned gelding isn't putting a foot wrong and if he continues his good race manners, more nice wins are in store.

Get involved in the excitement of harness racing now!

The likes of Barimah (Melton Saturday, Gordon Rothacker Group 3 Final) and Irish Whisper (Melton, Saturday Aldebaran Park Chris Howe Trotters Cup Group 3) are creating a buzz around the St Fort, the Riverina home of the Peacock harness racing team.

And there's no better time than now to get into the action by joining the in-form Peacock stable!

There are a number of options to consider...

• Buy a racehorse outright
• Become a member of a partnership or syndicate
• Or let Tony help you find a youngster to race in the rich futurities on offer in Victoria and NSW

Tony is preparing a number of youngsters showing enormous potential and limited shares are now on offer in several juveniles, including an eye-catching 2yo by --you guessed it -- the boom sire, Somebeachsomewhere.

If you'd like to be part of the excitement of racing, phone Tony for a confidential discussion.

Barimah earning respect

Barimah's strong win in the Gordon Rothacker Memorial Championship heat is earning the Peacock Stable star respect.

Anyone who saw his most recent win in the city would have to agree that he is destined for bigger and better things.

Tony is mapping out a program for the five year old gelding, and a Hunter Cup tilt is not out of the question.

Read Jason Bonnington's story from Monday's Herald Sun Sprint Lane column.

Gallant in defeat

Our two stable representatives competed at the Gunbower Cup Meeting today -- lovely track, lovely people!

Fours Enuff Tas and Irish Whisper both finished in third placing, but with more than pleasing performances.

In the trotters cup, Irish Whisper had to be on his best behavior, coming off 40 metre handicap, and got away safely.  With the favorite Dead Cat Bounce jogging along in front, driver Damian Wilson sent  'Irish' dashing three-wide into the death-seat with 1700 metres to go.

While we had to be content with third, the run again showed what the horse  is capable of and with a few more runs under his belt, the stable's confident he will be a big player in the coming trotters feature races.

Fours Enuff Tas burnt out of the gate but had to do all the work outside the leader and eventual winner The Pix in the "Hot Lap" race, always a feature at the Gunbower meeting.

Tas came in third, but all-in-all, another encouraging run.

Barimah blitzes them!

Five year old Bettors Delight gelding Barimah couldn't have been more impressive in winning a heat of the Gordon Rothacker Memorial Championship at Melton on Friday night.

The stable was confident after slashing trackwork earlier in the week.

Driver Damian Wilson took the perfect three-wide trail into the race in the latter stages and when given his head, Barimah cruised to the line a comfortable seven-metre winnner.

The mile rate of 1:54.9 was easily the quickest of the three heats and Barimah, raced by Pooba Govender, the Cormack family and the Nicholsons, of West Wyalong, should be cherry-ripe for next Saturday's (November 28th) $30,000 Group Three final.

It's no secret that Tony has always had big wraps on the horse and now he is starting to put it all together in brilliant fashion.

Here's a whisper...

The Peacock stable has two nice winning hopes  this weekend, in  Barimah and Irish Whisper.

The stable is looking toward the Gunbower Trotters Cup with a lot of confidence after an exceptional final hit-out by "Irish" this week.

"He trotted faultlessly and has certainly gone up a notch since last weekend's win at St Arnaud," Peacock said.

"We are up against a handy field but we are going in ready to race."

Read more in Jason Bonnington's story in today's Herald Sun...

Irish Whisper chasing back to back cups

Last-start St Arnaud Trotters Cup winner Irish Whisper will be chasing two cup wins in two weeks in the Cohuna Car Sales Bill Poxon Memorial Gunbower Trotters Cup on Sunday.

The Tony Peacock trained eight-year-old has twice beaten New Zealand champion Stent, so he’s always had ability, but Peacock has him at the peak of his powers right now...

Read the full story here thanks to harness.org.au