CALLISTEMON “BRUSHES” HER RANDWICK RIVALS

WHAT’S better than winning a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap in town on a Saturday?

Doing it again the following Saturday of course – and that’s what multiple Group 1 winning Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker hopes to achieve next weekend.

Parker won his 25th race of the season at Royal Randwick yesterday when Callistemon ($3.40 favorite) broke through for her maiden city success in the 1600m Midway after a “gun” Jason Collett ride.

Now he goes back to town on Saturday with Equilibrist for a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap over a shorter 1300m at Rosehill Gardens.

Equilibrist, a well-named four-year-old son of Trapeze Artist, won successive races at home on May 17 and 31 before finishing 10th in a 1200m Midway Benchmark 72 at Rosehill a week ago.

However, he drew awkwardly and was forced to race very wide through the middle stages.

Parker was understandably thrilled to clinch a city triumph with four-year-old mare Callistemon for an owner he has never met.

“Pip Warner bred Callistemon and got in touch out of the blue to ask me to train the mare,” he said today.

“We speak regularly on the phone, and she sends me text messages after Callistemon races.

“Whilst the mare has been racing well this campaign but without a lot of luck, Pip was pretty excited yesterday.

“Callistemon didn’t get clear running until it was too late when she ran second to Hellfire Express in a 1500m Midway at Randwick a fortnight ago, and turned the tables this time.

“Jason had her in the right spot in running, and it was an easy watch.”

Callistemons are commonly known as colourful bottlebrushes, and the equine Callistemon certainly brushed her rivals.

She was strong to the line to defeat Newcastle pair, Paul Perry’s Forecaster ($11) and Nathan Doyle’s Hellfire Express ($5.50).

Parker gave Callistemon (by Territories) her chance as a late three-year-old in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm 12 months ago, and believes she will manage further than yesterday’s distance.

But he isn’t in any hurry to stretch her out too far.

“Callistemon had 54kg yesterday, and much will depend on how many benchmark points she is raised for this win,” Parker said.

“Hopefully she can still get into another couple of Midways staying at around 1600m-1800m.”

Callistemon is the second foal of the Dubawi mare Hariata, whose sole victory from 12 starts was an Orange Maiden Plate (1300m) in October 2014.

Her first foal, the now seven-year-old mare Strelitzia, has won four races.

Parker also is training Callistemon’s three-year-old half-sister Heliconia (by Hallowed Crown) for her breeder-owner.

Heliconia didn’t race as a two-year-old and so has started only once when ninth as a $12 chance in a Provincial Maiden Handicap (1200m) at Kembla Grange on April 19.

“She had a little break after that debut run, and has been back in the stable for a week or so,” Parker said.

Fellow Kembla Grange trainer Joe Ible also was in the winning list yesterday – at Queanbeyan.

Ible’s Playful Puzzle (apprentice Claire Ramsbotham) finished strongly to take the Maiden Plate (1460m) as a $3.10 second favorite at only her third start.

The three-year-old daughter of Rubick gave Ible his ninth winner this season, and career 128th.

Hawkesbury trainer Marc Chevalier’s $3 favorite Hidden Mogul finished third after not having the clearest passage in the straight until the race was as good as over.

Story John Curtis, June 22, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos