Promising Barbizon defies top-weight at Punchestown Promising three-year-old Barbizon (3/1) continued his upward curve with success in Punchestown’s Hospitality On Sale Now Race today, scoring for the Hewins Hoare Partnership, trainer John Murphy and jockey Shane Foley. A Killarney maiden winner in July, the son of King Of Change finished well for a never-near fifth-placing in a Listed race at the same Kerry venue last month and today conceded weight to five rivals, including 106-rated filly Birthe (11/10f). While Birthe made the running and Coeur D’Or then led with two furlongs to race, Barbizon finished strongly to edge ahead close home, beating Coeur D’Or by three-parts of a length. Foley reported “Barbizon is a horse I always liked, even before he ever ran. I did things wrong at the Curragh the first day and then he won well in Killarney. Colin (Keane, champion jockey) liked him the last day although he was keen going down to the start, so Colin didn’t ask him to jump and it was a bit of a messy race. “It was a good performance from a three-year-old today because he was giving weight to some smart handicappers. He’ll have no bother going 1m2f.” Quotes from Gary Carson
