“BANDIT” READY TO KICK OFF METROP PREP AT RANDWICK

KERRY Parker this morning nominated Flying Bandit for the Group 1 The Metropolitan ahead of his resumption at Royal Randwick tomorrow.

And whilst he says it will be a strong test for his Wagga Cup winner in the Benchmark 94 Handicap (1600m), he won’t be surprised if he wins.

The multiple Group 1 winning Kembla Grange trainer made sure he got in early (entries for the $750,000 Metropolitan, 2400m at Randwick on October 4 close at 12 noon on Monday), and is looking forward to taking his lightly-raced five-year-old gelding back to the races to begin a spring campaign.

Jay Ford, who has formed a special bond with Flying Bandit, having ridden him in all six wins (from only 13 starts), including the Listed Wagga Cup (2000m) in May, continues his association with him tomorrow.

He also was aboard when the gelding was too classy for his rivals in an 1150m trial at home on August 8.

Parker decided against kicking off Flying Bandit in the Goulburn Cup (1400m) on August 24, opting to begin his preparation tomorrow on a firmer surface.

“This race will be a really good test first-up,” Parker said this morning.

“With 59.5kg, Flying Bandit is giving weight to some good horses.

“He will take good improvement from the race, but I am happy with how he is going and won’t be surprised if he wins.”

Parker is looking at giving Flying Bandit his second run back in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on September 20 en route to The Metropolitan a fortnight later.

Rather surprisingly, Flying Bandit has not been priced in the early TAB.com.au market on The Metropolitan, but no doubt that will change once he resumes tomorrow and entries close on Monday.

Parker also takes another lightly-raced stablemate Otono (Jason Collett) to Randwick to begin a new campaign in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m).

A five-year-old daughter of The Autumn Sun, Otono has won three of her six starts, and is seeking a hat-trick.

She hasn’t raced since taking a Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) at home on March 14.

“I was going to resume Otono in a Midway Benchmark 72 over 1200m a at Randwick a fortnight ago, but she had a cut on a heel and also it was a ‘Heavy 10’ that day,” Parker said.

“This will be her first time in town, but it doesn’t look an overly strong Midway and I’m expecting her to run well.”

Provincial racing’s “Mr Versatile”, Hawkesbury trainer Peter Green, is hoping Randwick stays in the ‘Soft 5’ range.

Green, who also drives standardbreds, is keen to chase his first Saturday city winner with consistent mare Killer Kerr, who is also an acceptor at Hawkesbury, where the track this morning was rated a ‘Good 4’.

She will line up in the same race as Otono provided Randwick remains in the soft range.

“It’s not that Killer Kerr doesn’t handle good tracks, but it takes a lot out of her,” Green said this morning.

“Killer Kerr has done a great job this preparation (giving Green his maiden city winner at a midweek Warwick Farm fixture in July), and I probably don’t have too many more runs with her this time in work.

“She is racing well, was unlucky when placed at Wyong last start, and I can’t believe her current odds ($31) at Randwick.”

Louise Day has formed a good association with Killer Kerr, and will ride her at Randwick if Green gives the “go ahead”.

Story John Curtis, September 5, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos