Barton On Cloud Nine After Golden Sands Magic

TYSON Barton woke from his dream on Friday morning to realise it was all true … he had just won the Group 1 Golden Sands (600m) at Albion Park on Thursday night with Fahey's Magic and picked up a $100,000 pay day.

And, over in WA, still celebrating is trainer/studmaster Steve Withers whose champion Tommy Shelby landed a Group 2 classic double when Daddy's Girl won the Queensland Futurity and Morton was sensational winning the Queensland Derby.

Tyson is no stranger to Group success having owned that high class staying bitch So Seductive which won the G1 Bold Trease and set a Sandown track record when trained by Kel Greenough in 2010.

But Fahey's Magic's Golden Sands victory is Tyson's first with him as trainer. She had already been a finalist in the G2 Richmond Oaks and G3 Casino Cup.

The Group 1 Box 1 Photography Golden Sands Final was simply an enthralling contest and the Northern Rivers star Fahey's Magic reigned supreme in the closing stages for owner Chad Pearce and trainer Tyson Barton.@RaceQLD @SkyRacingAU @GerardDaffy pic.twitter.com/I1DHdCIpbh

— Brisbane Greyhounds (@BrisGreys) January 4, 2024

Fahey's Magic (Magic Sprite-Amber Ale) wore down favourite and early leader Father Rick to win by a length and a half in 34.89 with Scintillate rattling home for third.

It was her 15th win in 33 starts and took her earnings to $153,000.

For Tyson Barton it was his first starter in a Group 1 in seven years training and a highlight for the bitch's owners Chad Pearce, Peter Carroll and John Casey.

“I couldn't really see where she was through the catching pen, but when she passed me at the 600 metre boxes, I had a twinkle in my eye,” said Tyson of the bitch's storming run from that stage.

Fahey's Magic was transferred from the John and Jane Carruthers kennel at Richmond to Tyson for the Casino Cup series.

“She hit her head on the lids in the final so we forgot that run,” said Tyson.

“Her run home times have always been good so I stepped her up to 600 metres at Albion Park and she went 34.90 first time there.”

Immediate plans for the bitch are to head back to Casino where a $25,000 series over 630m is scheduled in a few weeks time.

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WA trainer Kody Charles proved his trip to Queensland for the Summer Carnival was all worthwhile when Daddy's Girl used her rails draw to perfection to win the Futurity in 30.18 beating Kia Kaha and Nangar Millie.

But he had to fend off owner Steve Withers and good friend Dave Hobby before taking Daddy's Girl to Queensland.

Daddy's Girl is yet another of that fabulous Tommy Shelby-Joker Poker litter to prove herself Group class. She has now started 13 time for five wins and $96,000.

“When I decided to bring Daddy's Girl to Queensland as a travelling companion for Saige Tenniele, Steve was not real certain about her coming with us,” said Kody.

“And Dave Hobby said ‘why are you taking her with you'.

“And, even through the heats she was just a last minute hope of getting a start in the final.

“But, when she drew the rails and then the favourite (Loving Smile) came out, even Steve was confident she would be hard to toss.

“I was so confident she would be hard to beat off the red, I snapped up $12 on the night of the heats for the final.

“It is a dream stuff like this.

“It is pretty tough leaving home for a month to race dogs the other side of the country but Brittany and the kids at home are a fabulous support group.

“I'd love to bottle all these emotions and take it all home for my family to enjoy as much as I have.”

Daddy's Girl is likely to be flown back to Perth on Tuesday.

“She has done her job and I'd rather she went back home to make her way through the grades there,” he said.