Anne-Maree happy to share the spoils

While competent Daylesford harness racing reinswoman Anne-Maree Conroy showed fine touch to land a recent winning double, she was more than happy to shift the spotlight to her husband Michael Barby.

Conroy had just two drives at Ballarat on Wednesday and returned home with a 100 percent strike rate, thanks to square-gaiting pair Teetreetommy (Julius Caesar-Blooming Marvellous (Umbrella Fella) and Argyle Melody (Life Sign-Dalmont Vivienne (What’s Next).

Conroy trains Argyle Melody, but she was quick to heap praise on Michael, who defied conventional wisdom in changing pacing bred gelding Teetreetommy into a trotter.

“Teetreetommy was a big stroppy type of fella when he was being broken-in and tried as a pacer,” Conroy said.

“Then one day Mick figured out that perhaps the horse wanted to be a trotter, so we decided to give him a try.”

It wasn’t necessarily a smooth transition for Teetreetommy, though.

“I wasn’t actually that sure about the decision when early on he refused to turn in a run-around before the trials,” Conroy said.

“But Mick persevered, and the horse kept improving. After a while he made his race debut at Kilmore and we were pretty excited with a third placing.

“He was going to be right in it at his next start, but broke and ran sixth, and then had a third and won at Melton leading up to this latest win.”

Anne-Maree said the Ballarat success was virtually a carbon copy of Teetreetommy’s Melton victory.

“We drifted back to near the rear, and then worked into it going down the back straight before finishing it off in the run to the line,” she said.

“He is certainly starting to develop so we are going to have some fun with him.”

To watch the video replay of this race click here.

Teetreetommy, owned by Gerard and Brendan White, was named in honor of their brother Tommy, who passed away four years ago this month. Tommy formerly lived in Ti Tree Road, Dunnstown.

The White clan was out in force at Ballarat, being trackside for the first time to cheer home their winner.

Argyle Melody provided Anne-Maree with her second winner of the night, showing in the T C Bricklaying Trotters Handicap that age is no barrier. And in doing so, the 10-year-old mare may have delayed a booking in the broodmare barn.

“Her previous run was a fifth at Geelong and it was a bit below par so some of the owners were suggesting perhaps she’d go to stud next season,” Conroy said.

“I put the blame on myself because she didn’t feel keen at all; she was really flat and performed pretty ordinary,” she said.

Anne-Maree is the daughter of central Victorian trotting legend Bob Conroy, a true gentleman of the sport, who died in a training accident 18 months ago.

Anne-Maree’s parents, Pat and the late Bob Conroy

“I asked myself what dad would have done in that situation. I decided he would have given her more galloping, long heat workouts, swimming or cut back her feed,” she said.

“I thought about it for a bit and then decided to opt for the diet idea.

“When we went out onto the track at Ballarat, I soon knew I’d done the right thing because she was up on her toes and felt far more lively than the previous week.

“The speed was strong from the start and that suited her. It turned into a slog up the final straight, but she was very fit and that got her there.

“I must admit that I did give her a few of her favorite treats afterwards, but only for a little while!”

To watch the video replay of this race click here

Argyle Melody is raced by Colin Beveridge, his partner Mary-Lou Raybould, Pat Conroy (mum of Anne-Maree), Sam Justin and Leanne Taylor. The mare has now had 15 wins and 43 placings for over $105,000.

Anne-Maree and her two brothers Glenn and Peter work a team together of around 17 horses.

“We’ll probably reduce that number when the wet, cold weather arrives,” she said.

While the Conroy family is renowned for their outstanding results with square-gaiters, Anne-Maree said they didn’t have a preference between either gait.

“I agree we have a good reputation with trotters, but it’s a huge thrill to drive a good pacer as well. We’re not fussy, we just love getting the best out of our horses.”

Hoofnote: the late Bob Conroy won the ‘78 Bendigo Pacing Cup and Italian Cup with pacing superstar Lincoln Star, but on the flipside had brilliant trotters in Mary Beverley, Amazon, Mister Everest and others.

Terry Gange

NewsAlert PR Mildura