FLYING BANDIT’S BRISBANE WINTER TARGET NAMED

KEMBLA Grange’s staying find Flying Bandit will trial at Warwick Farm tomorrow en route to a Group 3 assignment at the Brisbane winter carnival.

Trainer Kerry Parker has announced the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, 2400m (formerly Premier’s Cup) at Eagle Farm on May 31 as the talented four-year-old’s northern mission.

Flying Bandit, raced by a Proven Thoroughbreds syndicate, took his record to six wins from 12 starts when he outstayed his rivals in the Listed Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) on May 2.

“We did give some thought to heading the other way for the Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday (for which the winner becomes exempt from ballot for the Melbourne Cup),” Parker said today.

“But it would be a big ask going to that distance without a run in between.

“Instead he will have a tick-over trial over 1200m at Warwick Farm, and go north later for the Eagle Farm race, which will be his first attempt at 2400m.”

Parker says he will have no trouble getting Jay Ford to go to Brisbane to continue a successful association with the Trapeze Artist gelding.

That’s understandable considering the jockey has been Flying Bandit’s partner in all six career wins, from only eight rides.

“Jay said I only have to let him know where Flying Bandit is going, and he will be there,” Parker said.

Whilst the May 31 race may be the gelding’s sole Brisbane start, the $400,000 Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm a fortnight later has not been altogether ruled out.

“Much will depend on how he performs in the Queen Elizabeth Cup, and we’re also mindful that he will need to have a break for the spring racing as a five-year-old,” Parker said.

Parker will be seeking an Eagle Farm breakthrough (but has had only two runners at the track) on May 31, though he has won two races across the road at Doomben – both with Dark Dream in 2018 (the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate, 2000m and Group 1 Queensland Derby, 2200m).

Meanwhile, Parker was pleased with stablemate Callistemon’s first-up effort on her home track last Saturday.

The now four-year-old mare ran third to $16 chance She Conquers in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) at her first start since December 21.

“She looked a winning hope 150m out until she petered out the last bit,” Parker said.

“Callistemon went into that race with only the one trial, and will take nice improvement.”

Callistemon’s two wins have both been at Newcastle (900m and 1250m) and, whilst Parker sent her to Brisbane last winter for the Queensland Oaks (2200m) toward the end of her three-year-old season, he feels up to 1600m is probably her maximum distance range.

Story John Curtis, May 12, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos