Hawke's Bay Trainer John Bary has trekked to Whangarei with his two charges - the 4-year-old bay gelding Defiant and his travelling companion No Excuse Maggie for tomorrow's Ruakaka meeting.
Both are last-start winners.
Bary considers Defiant to be a very tough horse as his name may suggest and one who iscoming into his own as he matures.
The step up to the Cox Plate-sponsored 2100m race could be interesting, but Bary is confident that he will be thereabouts.
No Excuse Maggie was originally purchased at the sales for $2000. Her owner attempted to syndicate her but their was little interest until she won at Te Rapa.
Tomorrow she will take her place in the $30,000 Aussie Butcher Fillies and Mares Final Series.
Bary, who is also a part-owner, and was proactive in forming the Full of Excuses Syndicate with a group of mates, maintains that it is very lonely drinking a beer on your own after your horse has just won.
He considers "Maggie" to be a promising type who is coming through the grades.
While interviewing Bary we couldn't help but ask about his very wonderful horse Jimmy Choux, who has won over $2 million in stakes. Jimmy is apparently thriving, has grown, and looking magnificent to resume.
He will probably have a run between races at his home track of Hastings next week.
"Jimmy" even has his own Facebook page.
