Kempsey horse trainer Barry Ratcliff has once again graced the winner's stall at Manning Valley Race Club's TAB meeting at Taree.
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While his mare Shy One was tearing up the track, Ratcliff was at home recovering from surgery to a leg, but no sooner had the gelding crossed the finish line, he was at his fridge opening his favourite alcohol drink to celebrate.
The 70-year-old has left racing duties to Greg Roxburg since being waylaid in hospital.
Roxburg, joking after the win, reckoned the improvement of Shy One was "Because Barry is not here."
Shy one has won four races for Ratcliff so far. Not bad considering it was bought for $6000 off the internet.
"It was a good win and the more they win, the better the price", Ratcliff said of recent wins where she started $12 and $50 (Coffs Harbour).
Jockey Qin Yong had Shy One in the leading division, burst clear halfway down the straight, and "fell in" from Muswellbrook $2.80 favourite Roy's Command and Port's Eerised ($7) all within a half-head of one another in a thrilling finish.
Training honours went again to Newcastle's Kris Lees with three winners Irish Thunder ($1.65), ridden by Andrew Gibbons; Power Bells ($2.80), another Gibbons ride; and Misterzee ($6.50 to $2.90).
The other winner was Noble Cause ($5.50), trained at Muswellbrook by Todd Howlett and ridden by Mikayla Weir in the Iron Jack Plate over 1600m.
The track played sensationally, although after showers had it downgraded from a soft 6 to 7.
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