More feature success for Williams and Carbery after tough mare Baronova wins Jericho Cup qualifier in Albany

Talented stayer Baronova booked her place in the historic Jericho Cup after charging home to win the Albany qualifier at Percy Spencer Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. The Grant Williams-trained mare produced a terrific sprint home to run down Picture Perfect in the shadows of the post and win the $100,000 Furphy The Road To Jericho WA Qualifier (3100m). Jockey Patrick Carbery settled Baronova ($8) near last in the 14-horse field and had improved her position to eighth on the home corner before setting out after the leading division. The four-year-old daughter of Fiorente gobbled up her rivals with 55kg on her back to defeat the Hayden Ballantyne-trained Picture Perfect ($32) by a neck while Outback Jack ($5), trained by Stephen Miller, ran third beaten less than three lengths. Baronova won the listed Belmont Classic in July last year over 2200m but was unplaced in her four previous starts this campaign. But the rise to 3100m and running on a track that had received rainfall during the week were in Baronova’s favour, according to Williams. “Her racing style, she looks like she needed that ground and needs a bit of give in it,” Williams said. “She got both of those and won nicely. “I think she definitely needs close to two miles and she doesn’t go a yard on a hard track and that’s probably something we’ve stuffed up a bit this preparation. “She won the Belmont Classic and all her good form is on soft, so that’s where we need to place her.” Without Reason started a $4.20 favourite in the feature race and fought on strongly to run fourth for hoop Troy Turner, while Western King was the best performed Albany horse in sixth place. Racing and Wagering WA will provide $20,000 to the winning horse and trainer to aid in travel expenses to Victoria. The esteemed Jericho Cup, which was first run in 1918, will be contested on November 27 at Warrnambool this year over 4600m and boasts a total prize pool of $304,000. Williams said competing in the Jericho Cup final would be discussed with owner-breeder Ted Van Heemst. “It’s something we’ve spoken a little bit about, so yeah possibly (she will go there), we will weigh that up with Ted and the owners,” Williams said. “The final is not until November so I think she has still got a few runs in her. “She’ll probably have an easy week in the water walker to freshen her slightly and then look to some nicer races, restricted races over the Belmont season.” Williams and Carbery have formed a successful partnership since the departure of WA’s best rider and stable jockey William Pike to Sydney. “Pat’s been unbelievable really,” Williams said. “Willie left a pretty big hole in our stable. Pat came in and has taken over that role and done a really good job. “He hasn’t done a lot wrong and you can say he’s in good form ... but he’s been in form for about two years.”