'Bazza' chasing some gold

enthusiastic owner pooba govender with his brilliant pacer barimah. pooba races the gelding, who has amassed over $120,000 in stakes, with the Cormack and nicholson families.

Stable star Barimah will strut his stuff in Saturday night's $75,000 Group Two Shepparton Gold Cup.

"Bazza" has pulled up well after a long trek to Adelaide and back last weekend, where he was the hard-luck story in the SA Cup.

"We looked after them on the way by taking a couple of breaks and getting them out of the float for a pick on grass and to stretch their legs," Tony said.

"By doing this routine it's paid dividends because Barimah's work this week has been exceptional," he said.

"We always said he was going to need luck in SA and his effort to finish fifth was huge."

However the gelding is going to have to be at his best, because the Shepparton Cup has drawn a smart field, including recent Horsham Cup victor Keayang Steamer.

"But we are really looking forward to the cup because he just seems to be getting stronger and stronger."

Meanwhile, travelling companion Irish Whisper is enjoying a few light weeks after a tough campaign in recent months.

The stable also has Fours Enuf Tas (barrier 10) in the C2-C3 Pace Final at Shepparton, while up and coming youngster Illawong Bondi (barrier 1) is lining up in the two-year-old Pace.

Bondi gave a pointer for things to come with a recent eye-catching Bendigo trial win.