EQUILIBRIST PERFORMS A FEAT OF HIS OWN

AN equilibrist is an acrobat who performs balancing feats, especially walking a tightrope.

The equine Equilibrist didn’t exactly walk a tightrope on his home track at his home track at Kembla Grange yesterday – but he certainly performed a feat.

It might have been unorthodox, but there was indeed method in the gelding’s multiple Group 1 winning trainer Kerry Parker’s “madness”!

Parker not only backed up Equilibrist within a week of also racing at home the previous Saturday, but also brought him back in distance from 1400m to 1200m.

And, with the help of a wet track, it worked.

Racing in the colours of his breeder-owner Richard Johnston’s now retired $8.5m earner and 14-times winner Think It Over, with whom Parker captured three Group 1s, Equilibrist started at $19 and won the Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap.

Capturing only his second success from 16 starts, the cleverly-named son of Trapeze Artist has sure been a puzzle for his trainer.

He incurred RacingNSW stewards’ wrath when Parker was ordered to trial him before being cleared to race again when he overraced and finished ninth of 10 runners in a Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1850m) at Newcastle on April 23.

Parker did that six days later in a 740m trial at Warwick Farm, then resumed the gelding’s career in a Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1400m) at home yesterday week.

He finished sixth of 10 starters (beaten just over five lengths) to Hyperbolic as a $21 chance.

“He overraced again in that race, but subsequently did well during the week,” Parker said.

“I decided to back him up. It was a little unorthodox, but I just trained what was in front of me.

“Having raced over 1850m late last month, I knew he was very fit and that the wet track would suit him.”

Ridden by Chad Lever, who is in brilliant form, Equilibrist raced wide and without cover – but it mattered not given the conditions.

He sustained a strong burst wider on the track to defeat $4.20 joint favorites, Wyong trainer Tracey Bartley’s Titanium Miss and Rob and Luke Price’s Victory Lane.

Equilibrist’s previous victory also was on wet ground and at home; a 1600m Maiden Plate for four-year-olds and upwards last October.

Meanwhile, Parker was pleased with Wagga Cup winner Flying Bandit’s trial at Warwick Farm last Tuesday ahead of his forthcoming Brisbane winter carnival assignment.

The four-year-old, a winner at six of his 12 starts, settled a clear last but was warming up nicely over the closing stages when seventh to 2023 Big Dance winner Attractable.

“Flying Bandit is in great shape, and will be floated to Brisbane a couple of days before Saturday week’s race at Eagle Farm,” Parker said.

Jay Ford, who has partnered the gelding in all six victories, will continue a great association with the gelding in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (formerly Premier’s Cup).

It will be the talented Flying Bandit’s first attempt at 2400m.

Parker was one of three local stables successful at Kembla Grange yesterday.

Rob and Luke Price took the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m) with $2 favorite Zaragoza (Keagan Latham), and Diane Poidevin Laine’s City Limits ($8) came from last to land the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m).

The Poidevin Laine stable had almost won the previous race with Audenzia ($14), well backed at long odds, who led everywhere bar the last bit when nabbed by Ciaron Maher’s Twilight Elegance ($16) in the Super Maiden Plate (1400m).

Hawkesbury trainer Terry Croft attempted to win today’s Parkes Cup (1600m) for a second year running – but it didn’t quite come off.

Nonetheless, Just A Brother ($8.50) was gallant in defeat, coming from last early to finish third to $15 chance Knife’s Edge.

The Hawkesbury gelding started at $31 when he won last year’s Cup, after also winning the Forbes Cup (160m) in 2023.

Story John Curtis, May 18, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos