Barnabas is no young kid starting off. He is a 26-year-old, who has had some international experience in stables. He went to England as a 17-year-old to do an apprentice jockeys' course at Doncaster then used up the rest of his two-year visa by working for top trainer Mark Johnson.
"I then went to Singapore for six months and after that went over to the apprentice school in South Africa for two years."
During that time in South Africa he suffered a dislocated shoulder which saw him off the scene for two years. He then resumed riding trackwork in Singapore before David Shepherd, a former capable Matamata apprentice employed as an assistant trainer in Singapore, suggested he try his luck in New Zealand.
Shepherd contacted Scott and Barnabas arrived last year then went home again for a period before returning a few months ago.
"I think he's going to make it," said Scott. "He's had a few trials wins and he rode that horse well today. Good on him."
Another first-time winner at Arawa Park yesterday was Kapsboy, who has big footsteps to follow, but the promising youngster began in fine style.
Kapsboy is a 2-year-old half-brother by Ishiguru to the multiple Group One placegetter Fleur de Lune and is a stablemate of the high-class mare in the Cambridge stable of Lee Somervell.
Bred and raced by Ada Parnwell and John and Colleen Duncan (the same connections as Fleur de Lune), Kapsboy made his raceday debut in yesterday's Embroid Me @ Speedy Signs Rotorua 1230 and was installed the favourite on the strength of an easy trials win at Paeroa on June 12. He had also shown promise in his other trial, when third at Cambridge last March.
"I wasn't expecting to race him as a 2-year-old, but he won his trial doing half-pace and he's thrived since then," said Somervell. "He's such a relaxed horse and he's got the same temperament as Fleur de Lune. He's lovely to do anything with."
Fleur de Lune began her career with a runaway win at Arawa Park and Somervell was hoping Kapsboy could follow suit with a debut victory yesterday. Hopes turned into reality, though it didn't always look like working out that way.
Kapsboy gave his connections a fright when looking to be battling halfway down the home straight when vying for the lead as the leader Emerald Green kicked back strongly on the inner and Move Faster challenged solidly.
However, inside the final 150m, Kapsboy switched on and kicked strongly to draw ahead and win by 1 lengths from Emerald Green, while Move Faster weakened out to be 4 lengths further afield in third spot.
"He's got heaps of ability, but is a bit of a goof and has a lot to learn," said rider Jason Jago, who has been the regular jockey of Fleur de Lune.
"I was a bit worried when he started looking around, but I know him well and got him going again. He's a pretty smart horse."
Somervell plans to run Kapsboy next in the Listed $50,000 Brancott Estate Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki on July 28. "He's earned a start in the Ryder," said Somervell."He could make a nice 3-year-old for the Guineas races."
Somervell is pleased with his current group of rising 3-year-olds, which also includes Fair Fleet and Addictive.
Fairfleet will run at Te Teko tomorrow, while Addictive will start next week at Te Rapa.
