Racing: Hombre holds key to Mudgway

John Bary is still not over the moon with The Hombre's chances. Photo / APN

Trainer John Bary doesn't have to rely on just his own judgment on The Hombre for today's fresh-up run in the $200,000 Mudgway Stakes at Hastings.

All week the perfectionist in Bary has been agonising over his assessment of where he is with the highly talented local galloper, who last raced in the Queensland Derby in June.

In many ways The Hombre holds the key to the race.

Within a length or two you pretty much know where most fancied runners will finish in today's group one.

The Hombre is different - he's the mystery horse of the race.

He could finish four or five lengths better than where you suspect, or the same distance back from there and you wouldn't be surprised.

Bary learned infinitely how to judge where a horse was physically when he travelled high-class polo ponies around the world as a professional polo player before recently taking up thoroughbred training.

The Hombre, he says, still isn't "pinging" in the eye.

"Almost, but not quite," he says.

Then Colin Jillings arrived at the stable yesterday afternoon.

The pair met and got matey at the Queensland carnival in May and June.

Bary took The Hombre's rug off.

"He's twice the horse he was in Queensland," said Jillings succinctly.

"Yes, his arse has built up considerably," replied Bary.

Even with a giant tick from such a masterly veteran horseman, Bary is left wondering where his horse fits into the Mudgway finish.

"If he had the ping in the eye I'd say he was a good thing, even against this field and in those conditions.

"I'll still be pissed off if he's not in the first five."

"Those conditions" were officially a slow 9 yesterday with absolutely everything hinging on whether or not the overnight predicted shower or two arrived.

"If there is no rain they'll probably call it a slow 8 [today], even perhaps a 7, but it'll be testing.

"It'll be the sort of track that will suit a Bulginbaah."

Bary gave The Hombre a fraction over four weeks' spell after Queensland and says there is residual fitness there.

"The blinkers will help, but how he gets out of bed in the morning is going to count as well.

"I'm not over the moon with him yet, but he'll race on the pace and sometimes it's difficult for the others to pull back horses up front from the home turn on slow tracks.

"I guess the one thing really in his favour is that he is a naturally fit horse all the time." Bary might be agonising, but you were left with the impression that Jillings has decided what at least one of his Mudgway bets will be.