3 minute read
It has been a while between drinks, but Barry Ratcliff has celebrated another city win.
A jubilant Barry Ratcliff received an early birthday present when lightly raced mare Markievicz powered to an impressive victory in the TAB Highway Handicap at Rosehill.
The Kempsey horseman, who celebrates his birthday on Monday, said it had been around five years since his last successful foray to town and he was thrilled to see Markievicz score for a group of his friends, who are in the ownership.
"When you're my age, I'm 72 on Monday, I haven't got many left to train," Ratcliff said.
"I'm pretty emotional. It's very good to get a horse, get some good mates in it, bring it down to Sydney and win another Highway. It's really, really good."
Markievicz ($17) settled second last for Kerrin Mcevoy and started her run before the home turn, switching to the outside on straightening and sustaining her run to deny the well-backed Golden Gorge ($5.50) with Royal Exit ($13) third.
Ratcliff praised McEvoy's ride and said the top jockey used the mare's biggest asset to perfection.
"He did a good job today to get her out early," Ratcliff said.
"Most horses have a good sprint for 200 to 300 metres, this here has got 800. This here can be anything.
"She is only four going on five but the older she gets the better."
Ratcliff is hoping to set Markievicz for the Country Championships if she is eligible as she only joined his stable in July having done her early racing in town forAnthony Cummings.
The bush trainer was popular after the win, his phone ringing hot in his pocket as he tried to conduct post-race interviews.
"Who are all these people ringing me up on my phone?" Ratcliff said.
"They're probably wanting me to pay my bills now."
It was anyone's race at the 200m mark!
Markievicz storms down the outside at $18 with @KPMcEvoy on board to open the day at @aus_turf_club. pic.twitter.com/mJKjmX9TVQ
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 29, 2022
