KEMBLA PAIR TEAM FOR METROPOLITAN MISSION

KERRY Parker wasn’t joking when he mentioned to Brock Ryan at Kembla Grange trackwork this morning that he “might have to pinch him at the weekend”.

The jockey was happy to oblige once he became aware multiple Group 1 winning trainer Parker was offering him the ride on Wagga Cup winner Flying Bandit if he secured a start in Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick.

“Kerry wasn’t sure at that stage Flying Bandit would make the field, but he has,” Ryan said this afternoon.

“I already had five rides for our home track meeting on Saturday, and probably would have finished up with a full book.

“But to ride a horse with a good chance in a Group 1 was too good an opportunity to pass up.

“I have been riding a bit for Kerry since I resumed my career earlier this year.

“The Kembla bookings I had on Saturday were for trainers I have also been riding for, and they were happy to make other arrangements when I mentioned I could ride Flying Bandit in The Metropolitan.”

Ryan, who is one win shy of a career 350 victories, says he has had a number of Group 1 rides because he can ride light, but so far without any luck.

Still, he will have to lose around 3kg to ride Flying Bandit at his correct 50kg.

“It won’t be a problem,” he declared.

“I’ll go a bit easier on the meals, and will ride trackwork all this week in sweat gear.

“I won’t let Kerry down. I’ll be 50kg by Saturday.

“Flying Bandit has run well at both starts this preparation over 1600m and 1900m, and is getting to a more suitable distance.

“He had a big weight (60.5kg) at Rosehill last Saturday, and was warming up nicely at the end.

“Flying Bandit has drawn nicely in barrier five, so that gives us some options.”

Parker was understandably pleased to get a Metropolitan berth with his talented five-year-old gelding, who has won six of his 15 starts, and also see him draw well.

“That’s great,” Parker said. “The Metropolitan has been his mission.

“I had to run him with a big weight at Rosehill last Saturday when he was made an emergency for the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick a week earlier and didn’t get a start.”

“Being a big strider, he was a bit lost on the turns, but wound up nicely when he got balanced in the straight.

“Randwick suits him better, and backing up a week later in The Metropolitan won’t be an issue.

“After he ran fourth over 1800m at Randwick on April 26 this year, I backed him up six days later when he won the Wagga Cup (2000m).

“He has come through last Saturday’s race really well. I’m looking forward to getting him out over a longer distance.”

Parker ran Don Raphael, one of his two Melbourne Cup starters, twice in The Metropolitan in 2004 and 2005.

After winning the Listed Tatts Plate (2400m) and Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) – both were run at Warwick Farm – the gelding ran third to Newcastle warhorse County Tyrone in 2004, and fifth to subsequent Caulfield Cup winner Railings the following year.

In an open $6 the field Metropolitan market with TAB.com.au this afternoon, Flying Bandit was listed as a generous $34 chance.

Story John Curtis, September 30, 2025