That interest, and a chance conversation the next day, has paid off for Barron and his owners in the filly, judging by her past two wins on end at Alexandra Park, including victory on Friday night.
Barron returned to Makarewa on Monday after a successful North Island campaign, not only with Cullen Who but with Rowe Cup placegetter Queen Kenny.
Barron was impressed by Cullen Who's easy four-length victory in a slick 1.58.1 mile rate at Forbury Park on March 24, but it was what he saw straight after the race which really got him thinking.
"It wasn't the way she did it, it was the way she came back to the birdcage,'' Barron said.
"She was flicking her ears all the way back - life was just a joke to her, really. She had just gone 2.41 and the way she returned back to scale reminded me so much of Mainland Banner.''
The amiable Barron struck up his usual conversation with Cullen Who's trainer, Kevin Court, the day after the races and, from there, the deal began to work out.
"I was just in the right place at the right time,'' he said.
"I always talk to Kevin as I'm loading up the next day after Forbury. I just ran it by him if he'd sell it and he said he would.''
Barron gathered several stable clients, including Gordon McKenzie and Rose Dixon - the owners of Queen Kenny - along with commentator George Simon and his wife, Maryanne.
She had her first run for Barron at Winton on April 10, finishing a brave second behind Galactic Star before he sent her north for the autumn carnival at Alexandra Park.
She finished ninth in her first northern start on April 22 before stringing her past two wins together despite still showing signs of racing immaturity.
"She's just learning the ropes really.''
Barron is not afraid to aim high with the classy filly, who is spelling with Delightful Dash at Clevedon's Rosslands Stud.
"The main aim is going to be the Ashburton Jewels in 12 months.''
Queen Kenny has probably already reached her main aim, after her third placing behind Monbet in the Rowe Cup last month.
"We're pretty realistic,'' Barron said.
"It was great that she did it and she did it well, but I can name five or six horses that weren't there that she wouldn't beat home. But she was there, and she was sound and she did the job. It was a great buzz actually to get a group 1 placing.''
Barron said, like Cullen Who, part of the credit for Queen Kenny has to go to her previous trainer, Phil Williamson.
"We were lucky we bought them both off very good people who have looked after them so good and hopefully we've carried it on.''
Queen Kenny's next start is at Alexandra Park on May 27 before she goes to the paddock, either for good or just for the winter.
"She's definitely getting served [by Love You] in the spring anyway.
"Whether she's still in work when we do that or whether she's spelling ... if she gets in foal straight away, she'd be retired, but if she didn't, we would aim at racing again.''
