A beautifully bred filly out of New Zealand is providing a special ride for a legendary Hamilton trainer and his granddaughter.
Good Faith, trained by Rothacker Medal recipient Jim Barker and driven by his granddaughter Jackie, made it two wins from two starts since joining the camp last Thursday night at Ballarat in the PETstock 3YO Pace.
The Bettors Delight filly ran to the top early before Jackie boldly held out race favourite Artemede in the run, eventually coasting home for a comfortable win in 1:58.8 for the 2200m trip (56.5 seconds for the last half).
Sporting the famous Barker silks, black with orange diamond, Good Faith’s stable name is Miki and she has a special back story.
“We had wanted to get one for a while (from New Zealand) and after losing my best mate Mikaela, Tim (McLean) offered this filly to me after she was offered to him. I named her Miki,” Jackie said.
Jackie’s best friend was talented and popular jockey Mikaela Claridge, who tragically lost her life in August as a result of a training accident at Cranbourne.
“This horse has really helped me get out of bed,” Jackie said.
“I’m trying to live the life that Mik didn’t get to.”
Good Faith and Jackie also ride with a new sulky, which carries Mikaela’s name emblazoned in orange along one side and Jackie’s on the other.
“It’s got both our names and it’s very special to me,” Jackie said.
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