Battlefield sticks with Lockwood

By Glenn Davis

Hong Kong’s loss could be trainer Barry Lockwood’s gain after a sale offer for talented three-year-old Battlefield failed to eventuate.

Battlefield – an Angela Jones mount – steps out in the final QTIS race for the season in the Three-Year-Old Handicap at Doomben on Wednesday.

Lockwood is a minor shareholder in Battlefield, who is chasing a hat-trick of wins following a commanding victory in a 1200 metre Class 3 Handicap at Eagle Farm on July 20.

“He’s been good since he’s come north but he drew poorly the day he ran second at his first start here at Doomben,” Lockwood said.

“Since then, he’s won his last two and his last win at Eagle Farm was very good.

“He had a nice run in behind the speed that day and he picked them up quickly and won well.

“He’s not eligible for the QTIS money but I’m pretty sure he’ll soon make it to open company.”

Battlefield was bought for $42,500 at an online auction after starting seven times in Sydney for Chris Waller and Matthew Vella.

“We bought him online after he pulled up with heart arrhythmia following his last run in Sydney for Matthew Vella,” Lockwood said.

“I have a minor share in him with Mike Buys who has raced horses with me for a number of years going back to when I was in Sydney.

“Mike has a lot of horses with Tony Gollan and another of the owners, Longneck Thoroughbreds, has a few cousins of mine from Tamworth involved.”

Lockwood said a large offer was received from a Hong Kong buyer after Battlefield won his last start at Eagle Farm.

“It was an offer about 10 times what we paid for him,” Lockwood said.

“But, it never eventuated as the buyer found out later that Hong Kong don’t allow horses to race over there if they’ve had a problem like heart arrhythmia.

“Arrhythmia happens in a lot of horses, but it doesn’t affect them long term.”

Lockwood is confident Jones, who replaces the injured Robbie Dolan, can make it three wins from four starts in Queensland.

“He’s drawn in the middle of the field, and he can run good sectionals, so he should be hard to hold out,” he said.

“He might have another run before he goes to the paddock.”