Barbary Tales shines in Bandbox heat

After two test runs in Melbourne, quality mare Barbary Tales returned to Tasmania in style, en route to race victory in the second leg of the Bandbox. The daughter of For a reason had no trouble posting a margin of 37 feet and stopping the clock in a brisk mile pace of 1:59.4.

Already winner of the Evicus Final in 2024, Barbary Tales now sets its sights on consecutive TasBred titles. The filly, bred by Andrew Rawlings and raced by his good friend John Huston, has amassed an impressive record – seven wins from 14 starts – and is quickly approaching the $100,000 mark.

Her father For a reasonstanding at Cobbitty Equine Farm, enjoyed a clean sweep in the Bandbox heats, while another daughter, Smooth Reason, scored 10.2m.

The Bandbox series has a rich heritage, named in honor of the champion Tasmanian mare Bandbox, who captured the Inter Dominion Championship in Perth in 1947. Today she is remembered as the grandmother of the legendary Pure Steel.

The Globe Derby Prelude for three-year-old stallions and geldings went to the Emma Stewart-trained Hungry Hippo. By the exciting young stallion Stay Hungry out of Ashuras Beau, the colt was bred locally by Brooke Hammond.

Hungry Hippo was offered at the 2023 Nutrien Tasmanian Yearling Sale, where it fetched $41,000 through the Summit Bloodstock and Aaron Bain Racing bid.

Attention now turns to the 2026 Nutrien Tasmanian Yearling Sale, scheduled for Saturday, February 14. With the online catalog launching this week, expectations are high for a sale that continues to produce winners both on the island and on the highway.

Through Gary Newton for Harnesslink