Kembla Grange trainer Paul Murray has extended his family’s strong connection to the Wagga Cup carnival by taking out the $200,000 Town Plate aboard Harry’s Bar.
The late father of Murray, renowned South Coast conditioner Bede, began sending horses to the prominent country event during the 1970s, seldom leaving without a victory, among them a Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) courtesy of Vanquished and a Town Plate (1200m) via Scorpio.
Paul Murray boosted the family tally on Thursday as Harry’s Bar ($9) ran down frontrunner Love Shuck ($61) to prevail by three-quarters of a length, with Bandi’s Boy ($11) closing strongly for third, a further two lengths back.
Operating a modest team from Kembla Grange, Murray notched his second elite race triumph in six months following Where’s The Circus’s capture of the Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Randwick last December.
Yet, considering the Murray lineage at the two-day Wagga gathering, Harry’s Bar’s achievement carried additional weight.
“It’s unbelievable. I was only a boy when we used to come down with Dad,” Murray told Sky Racing.
“We had a runner after (Scorpio), Sure And Fast, and I think he ran second or third in it, but this is my first runner.”
Harry’s Bar now has three successes from 16 outings, a fitting payoff for her reliability after placing second in the Gosford qualifier for the Provincial-Midway Country Championships and a valiant fifth behind Lord Of Biscay in the decider.
“She is just a very good mare,” Murray said.
“She gives you two hundred per cent. Every time you go to the races you know you’re going to get a run for your money.
She loves a fight, and I’ve never seen a mare as tough as her.”
Murray remains uncertain about Harry’s Bar’s future path but mentioned eyeing the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone in a fortnight.
Regular jockey Jean Van Overmeire guided Harry’s Bar, completing a double on the card after earlier success with Luke Pepper’s Brutal Belle.
The event rolls on Friday featuring the Wagga Gold Cup, where Chris Waller’s Travolta leads at $3.20.
Explore the Australian betting sites for top racing odds on the Wagga Gold Cup.
