He had a false start a couple of Saturdays ago, but Barrengarry will get his shot at a Group race at the Sydney Autumn Carnival this Saturday.
The three-year-old will get the chance to continue his progression in the $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Randwick.
The Group 3 event will be run two weeks after the Carbine Club Stakes, for which Barrengarry was an acceptor and subsequent scratching after a minor issue, and the gelding’s trainer Joe Ible is excited to see him tested on the big stage.
“He was in to run in the Carbine a week ago but he just wasn’t 100 percent so we scratched him,” the Kembla Grange trainer said.
“He looks like he’s bounced back nicely. He had a good trial on Friday at Canterbury.
“Horses like this are what we get out of bed every day and do it for. To have a horse like him walk in the stable, it certainly invigorates you and gets you going.”
Barrengarry will be chasing a hattrick of wins when he takes on horses including Tulloch Stakes runner-up Eureka Rebel, Moonee Valley Vase runner-up Providence and Carbine Club Stakes third and fourth placegetters Matias and Olympian this weekend.
It is an unlikely progression for the son of Ghaiyyath, who started his career with a fourth placing in a 1200m Nowra maiden last November.
His next appearance came on his home track on February 17, when third over 1400m, before breaking his maiden in arrogant style over 1600m at Newcastle on March 6 before a 1500m Midway win against the older horses at Rosehill on March 21.
His only public appearance since was last Friday’s quiet 1100m trial, when he finished fifth of seven, beaten just over four lengths.
Barrengarry’s progression has surprised and excited Ible, who could raise the bar even higher this campaign if he impresses on Saturday.
“He’s always shown us something, but I wouldn’t have thought he’d be getting there as quickly as he has,” Ible said.
“The way he’s progressed this preparation, he still looks a bit backward and his mannerisms are a bit immature, so out of this preparation you start to think about what the future could be.
“If he was to go out and perform as we hope (this weekend) there’s a chance we’ll end up in Brisbane.”
The race he would tackle there is the $1 million Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m), which will be run at Eagle Farm on May 30.
