Barahin hit them for a six!

THERE was a perception among some racing fans going into Saturday’s Gr2 Charity Mile at Turffontein that the 1600m would be Barahin’s absolute minimum trip and that he wouldn’t find it easy against a few proven milers, but he gave them a hiding all the same!

Sometimes obvious pointers are overlooked. The form book shows that Barahin had won twice over 1400m as a two-year-old, once defeating his star stable companion Soqrat in a Gr2 race at the tight Greyville track.

Barahin had also been fitted with a pair of blinkers and made his return to a galloping track, two other factors which made his odds of 6-1 look tempting to those who actually bothered to dig a little deeper than pre-race conjecture.

“The blinkers made a massive difference,” confirmed jockey Callan Murray after steering Barahin to a 3.50-length success over Chijmes, Flying Winger and Cascapedia. “We just tracked the speed and when we turned into the straight it felt like a five furlong race the way he quickened up.

“I just held on to him, he extended to the line impressively.”

Mike de Kock, for whom the Charity Mile was the middle leg of a sensational six-timer on the day, saw this as only the beginning of big things for Barahin, who is likely to go into the Summer Cup as favourite, with his first Gr1 win beckoning.

“Barahin has always been a nice horse, in fact he’s a proper horse. He was unlucky as a three-year-old to be bumping Hawwaam all the time. But today the rain helped him, he’s never been the greatest mover or strider. The sting out of the ground was fantastic for him.”

Mike said he has been “threatening to cut” Barahin, but for some reason has exercised a little restraint. “He’s a Mauritzfontein-bred with a really nice pedigree.”

Mike de Kock with Bob Yearham.

Mike thanked Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his ongoing support and said: “He has been an unbelievable patron for South African racing!”

He also conveyed thanks to Bob Yearham of Peermont Emperors Palace for his unwavering support of racing.

Barahin, by Gimmethegreenlight from Mocha Special (Silvano) is now five from 10 with over R1,8-million in stakes earnings. Mike and the stable is hoping he won’t be lumbered too heavily by the handicapper after this win, but he’s a strong horse that can carry weight, he’s in form at the right time and all we can say is, “Roll On Summer Cup!”