KEMBLA TRAINERS CHASE BELATED RANDWICK CARNIVAL WINS

KEMBLA Grange trainers Kerry Parker and Joe Ible have both put aside “setbacks” in search of Group 3 Royal Randwick success on Saturday.

With the Sydney autumn carnival curtain coming down, Parker has Flying Bandit ready to run in the JRA Plate (2000m) en route to the gelding defending his Listed Wagga Gold Cup crown, whilst Ible chases the Frank Packer Plate over the same distance with promising three-year-old Barrengarry.

Rain last week ruined Parker’s hopes of getting to yesterday’s Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) with Flying Bandit, and Ible has given Barrengarry the all clear after having to also bypass the opening day of The Championships last week.

Parker had planned to start Flying Bandit in the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m) a week ago as a Cup trial, but withdrew him when rain came at the wrong time.

“There was no point running him on the soft ground,” Parker said today.

“Hopefully the current weather stays fine all week for Randwick on Saturday.

“We’ve reverted to Plan B, and Flying Bandit will run in the JRA Plate and then go to Wagga nearly a fortnight later to try to win the Cup for a second year running.”

With Jay Ford aboard, Flying Bandit outstayed his rivals in last year’s $200,000 Wagga Gold Cup (2000m), defeating recent Albury Cup winner Bianco Vilano.

That was his sixth win, and though he hasn’t been successful in seven subsequent starts, a number were on unsuitable wet tracks.

Whilst Flying Bandit was a Cup absentee, Parker at least tasted success yesterday at Newcastle with lightly-raced mare Bang On Time ($1.75 favorite) in the F&M Maiden Plate (1250m).

Ridden by Chad Lever, Bang On Time did a good job to break through at only her second start.

A New Zealand yearling purchase in 2023, the four-year-old has ensured her trainer and syndicate of Proven Thoroughbreds owners have needed to show patience personified.

“Bang On Time has always shown ability, but had an injury behind and thus we had to give her plenty of time to recover,” Parker said.

“That was an ugly watch yesterday for a time in the straight but she shouldered her way through a gap, and then dug deep when challenged strongly late by the runner-up ($18 chance Get Litt).

“Bang On Time is doing a good job and, being by Almanzor, she should get over further ground.”

. Ible had hoped to chase a hat-trick with Barrengarry in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) last week, but the gelding was a bit off colour with a slight temperature.

“He has recovered quickly, and I was able to trial him at Canterbury last Friday (he ran fifth in an 1100m heat),” Ible said.

“Whilst obviously it was disappointing missing the Carbine Club, I’m confident Barrengarry will be fine for Saturday’s Frank Packer Plate stepping up to 2000m for the first time.

“His performance will tell us whether to proceed with Brisbane winter carnival plans.”

Zac Lloyd has partnered $10,000 buy Barrengarry at all three starts this preparation, including wins at Newcastle (March 6 over 1600m) and Rosehill Gardens (March 21 over 1500m), but the association won’t continue on Saturday.

With Lloyd having another commitment, Ible has booked yesterday’s Sydney Cup winning rider Jason Collett, who got a “feel” of him in the Canterbury trial.

Like Parker, yet another Kembla Grange trainer Ross McConville was in the winning list at Newcastle yesterday.

McConville’s C’mon Flyer (Chad Lever), who also scored on Bang On Time, broke through in the Midway Maiden Handicap (1890m) as a $4.40 third favorite.

The Trapeze Artist three-year-old was having only his fourth start, and relished stepping up in distance.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, APRIL 12, 2026 PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS