Racing: Bary sets sights on spring treble

Survived, second from right, takes the lead in the Makfi Stakes from Fritzy Boy, rails, No Excuse Maggie, the grey, Fleur de Lune, yellow cap, and runnerup Full Of Spirit with the red cap. Photo / APN

With Makfi Challenge Stakes safely tucked into the trophy cabinet Survived will seek a special place in history.

Hastings horseman John Bary gives himself a decent chance of becoming the first to win the Hastings spring treble with Saturday's $200,000 Makfi Challenge winner Survived.

No horse has achieved the winning treble over the distances of 1400m, 1600m and 2030m. Bary does not believe it comes down just to class.

Location is critical.

"The two that have come closest to taking all three races are Starcraft and Jimmy Choux and both were trained here at Hastings.

"It's the travelling that makes it a killer," he said yesterday.

Bary trained Jimmy Choux and Australian Starcraft was stabled at Hawkes Bay during his attempt at the treble. StarCraft won the first two legs in a canter and was beaten in the third leg.

Later he went to England to be prepared by Luca Cumani and after winning the group one Queen Elizabeth II Stakes he was declared World Champion Older Miler on Turf.

Jimmy Choux had to bow to Mufhasa in the opening leg, then beat Mufhasa in the 1600m Windsor Park (September 21) and scored easily in the NZ Bloodstock Insurance Spring Classic (October 5).

The natural distance progression of the treble should ideally suit Survived.

So should his fitness levels. It was a surprise to see how keenly he went forward in the early stages of his victory on Saturday and he looked to have the race under control at all points.

"He's so much more mature mentally now," says Bary. "You could notice it in the way he went to the barriers yesterday and also during the race."

Bary has ruled out any thought of Melbourne this spring, Survived's sole target will be this Hastings treble.

"In terms of results, Brisbane was a bit of a disaster for a number of reasons, but the upside was that the trip itself made him grow up.

"Time will be his friend. He's still a work in progress and he will be a better 5-year-old."

Bary believes the Australian Cup early next year is a perfect target for Survived. "It's 2000m at weight-for-age on a left-handed track like Flemington and it's ideal."

Full Of Spirits fought on gamely for second on Saturday ahead of Final Touch, who ran on wide out to beat pacemaker Fritzy Boy for third.