There’s few people around the racing game in the western area as well-known as Barry Lew, but there was a point recently where the knockabout trainer thought his time around horses was up.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lew, most famous for the success he had with Miracle Mile and Inter Dominion Final placegetter Karloo Mick, has been out of the training game for some time after double shoulder surgery earlier in the year.
His eagerness to be around the horses saw him, admittedly, return to work a bit too soon and a reoccurrence of the shoulder injury sidelined him for longer.
READ ALSO:
“I thought I might not come back then,” he said.
“But I’m pleased to be back and having a dig.”
Lew made his return last week with Karloo Jonno running fourth in a heat of the Stark Trek series at Bathurst first-up from a nine-month spell.
The pair are in action at Bathurst Paceway again on Wednesday night, Karloo Jonno to go from gate two in the series semi-final.
“I had my shoulders operated on and I went back to work the horses too soon,” Lew said of his time out injured.
“A two-year-old (Jonno) dropped me and I got busted up. That’s where things went pear-shaped.
“It wasn’t pretty but I just did the wrong thing and came back too soon.”
A number of horses then went and raced from the Steve Turnbull stables at Bathurst, Lew’s wife Ronnie coming up with that idea to keep them racing rather than spell them all.
But in the time Lew has been out much has changed for he and his stable.
Karloo Threeothree and Karloo Damajor both broke down, the former now set to become a riding school horse while the latter is now in work under Newcastle trainer Lisa McDonald.
Karloo Bentwofifty has also stopped racing due to a breathing issue which was forcing him to pull too hard and risk injury for trainer and drivers.
Karloo Jonno is one of just four Lew currently has in work at the moment but there is some excitement around a batch of two-year-olds which are getting closer to being ready.
Karloo Kokoda, the horse which injured Lew’s shoulders the second time, is also getting closer to a return to the track.
“We’ve just got to get some more (horses) and get back into it a bit more seriously,” Lew said.
“I’ve got a couple of well-bred two-year-olds that are not quite ready yet but they’re impressive.
“Karloo Kokoda looks a much better horse, he was a bit immature.”
Karloo Jonno is another Lew is keen to seen improve, with better things expected this preparation.
Mat Rue has the drive from gate two at Bathurst. Lew is eager to see the four-year-old Karloo Jonno get into the “grind” in the semi-final given his limited sprinting ability.
Racing starts 6.15pm.
- LOVE DUBBO SPORT AND NEWS? THEN SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER HERE:
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
