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Barb Raider has added the Kewney Stakes to her record with a strong Flemington win.
Barb Raider is likely to now head for Group 1 glory in Sydney after a fighting on-pace win at Flemington to remain unbeaten in her autumn campaign.
The Jerome Hunter-trained filly took out the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday to follow her victory at Group 3 level in The Vanity at Flemington on February 19.
The Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 26 is the next likely assignment for Barb Raider following Saturday's success.
Ridden by Craig Williams, Barb Raider ($8.50) scored by a half-head from the $2.70 favourite Argentia with Mokulua ($26) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
"It's great to get a horse like this and to get a homebred for the owners is fantastic," Hunter said.
"We'll go home and have a think about what we do, but I do know that she likes the wet as well so looking at Sydney, it'd be nice.
"But it's only going to get harder as we go up."
While Hunter refrained from heading to the VRC Oaks with Barb Raider in the spring, he has not ruled out the Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 9 with the filly.
"Last preparation I could see her have a kick and that worried me whether she'd be an out and out stayer," Hunter said.
"But this time round I've held a bit more strength in her.
"You would have to have a throw at the stumps if she keeps improving."
Williams has been associated with Barb Raider throughout her eight-start career, for four wins, and said he had noted the improvement from last campaign.
"Right now, she's handling things a whole lot better," Williams said.
"She goes to the gates on her own and it's just been a matter of process and the time that Jerome has decided to take with her, you can see the benefits of it now."
Wow!
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 12, 2022
Craig Williams goes back-to-back in the G2 Kewney Stakes with Barb Raider holding on for her second win in a row @CWilliamsJockey pic.twitter.com/sFek2LHa0J
