The well-bred Somejoy started her harness racing career with a bang when she won impressively on debut at Winton yesterday.

The three year old filly is by Somebeachsomewhere out of Jumpforjoy. Jumpforjoy won seven races including the 2011 Southland Oaks Final. She also won a heat of the Nevele R Fillies Series and ran third behind Carabella in the Three Year Old Diamonds at the Ashburton Jewels.

Somejoy which is owned by Miracle Lodge Syndicate (Barron and Eric Parr) was given a solid grounding running in six workouts (winning four) as well as a couple of trials. In one of these she was driven by Barron's daughter Ellie.

From a second row draw at yesterday's meeting Somejoy settled four back on the inside. When Argyle Beach popped out of a trailing position with 600 to run Barron jumped onto her back and got into the one one. On straightening he peeled Somejoy out and ran on strongly to beat Tara Tutaia which came off Somejoy's back by a length and a half. The time for the 1609 metres was 1-55.4

Somejoy winning at Winton                                    Photo by Bruce Stewart

"The run we got surprised me. We got a beautiful run and she won untested, said Barron. She's got a lot of potential. We've brought her along quietly and we're very pleased," he added.

Somejoy is the first foal out of Jumpforjoy with the second a filly by Art Major being offered at next years Sale of the Stars in Christchurch. So how similar is Somejoy to her mother Jumpforjoy? 

"She's got her gait and race day attitude. They're were both  pretty relaxed at home and picked it up on race day which is a pretty good sign. She's (Somejoy) probably good enough to overcome a bit of bad luck but she didn't get any today." 

Barron has a few of the progeny of American stallion Somebeachsomewhere and says they can be a bit temperamental.  

"They've been a bit ratty. This filly's okay but some of the others have been a bit highly strung. But they can all run which is the main thing." 

Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing