A Stawell-trained gelding is among three horses in the running for the Country Racing Victoria horse of the year.
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Six-year-old Barry the Baptist was nominated after his stellar 2018-19 season. Among several strong rides, the Paul Jones-trained horse won two country cups, saluting at both Apsley and Stawell.
He also took out the Sheep Hills Cup at Warracknabeal in September, finished second in the Hamilton Cup, the Geelong St Pats Cup and the Casterton Cup and was fourth in the Ararat Cup.
Trainer Paul Joner said he saw the horse mature over the last 12 months.
"He has always been a bit immature mentally and physically for his age, but at five turning six he has become more seasoned and is turning a little," he said.
"Over the next year or two he should be even better."
Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde's Another Coldie and Caulfield trainer Nick Ryan's Mahamedeis are also nominated for the award.
Horses had to have at least three starts on country Victorian tracks and were judged solely on their performances on country Victorian racetracks to qualify for the award. Country Racing Victoria member clubs vote on the award, with the winner to be announced on August 24.
Jones said it was an honour to have a horse nominated for the award.
"There's a lot of horses in country Victoria so to get one nominated from a small stable like ours is a good thing," he said.
Jones said Barry the Baptist will continue racing in country cups next season.
"They've increased prizemoney for all country cups so we will stick to a pretty similar plan," he said.
"He's pre-training at the beach at the moment and will come back to race hopefully in September.
"We have been fairly patient with him, given him an opportunity to mature and his confidence has grown. He has learned to race properly so we think he should have another good year.
"His form's been consistent, and he's come a long way. He's a bit quirky - he's a homebody and loves his home environment. He likes the quiet, and lives in the paddock most of the time."
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