KEMBLA TRAINERS VYING FOR LOCAL PREMIERSHIP HONOURS

IT’S all tied up tied at the top!

The 2025-26 racing season is now three-quarters of the way through – and two stables are presently vying for the honour of becoming Illawarra Turf Club’s premier local trainer.

Kerry Parker and co-trainers Mitch Beer and George Carpenter have prepared 12 winners each so far this racing year.

Multiple Group 1 winner Parker went two clear when successful with All The Way Mae (above) yesterday, but Team Beer “fired” back to win two races and draw level in the local trainers’ premiership (awarded on wins).

All The Way Mae (Brock Ryan) never gave her rivals a look-in, flying across the turf to take the Class 1 Handicap (1000m) at $7.

The three-year-old daughter of 2019 The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes had nearly three lengths to spare at the post over Wyong trainer Geoff Allendorf’s debutante The Pacific ($51) and Indecisive ($16).

Team Beer scored with Magical Moments ($2.50 favorite) in the Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m), and McAdam ($3.80) in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m).

Recent Wagga Town Plate winning jockey Jean Van Overmeire partnered both Team Beer winners.

Parker was understandably delighted to see All The Way Mae bounce back into winning form in such great style.

“She showed nice ability at her first preparation, winning on debut over 900m at Newcastle last May on a ‘Heavy 10’ track,” he said today.

“But she went off the boil at her next campaign.

“I just couldn’t get her going in three runs, but she has come back really well after a good break and her two runs have been terrific (All The Way Mae was third on resumption over 1000m at Hawkesbury on April 14).”

Parker purchased All The Way Mae from her breeders, who then remained in the filly when the trainer syndicated her amongst clients.

“JWB Thoroughbreds had a share in Yes Yes Yes, and that’s how she was bred,” he explained.

“All The Way Mae is still a bit raw, but she is learning and heading in the right direction.”

Whilst Parker is enjoying an excellent season at home, he says it is going to be a tough task to hold off Team Beer to win his first local premiership.

“They have a lot more horses than I have, but I’ll be doing my best to keep them honest,” he said.

“At least the closeness in the local premiership has brought about some friendly rivalry between the staffs of our two stables.

“We share a barn together, and we’re away from other stables, so there’s plenty of chat.”

Parker pointed out the outstanding success of the late Kembla Grange trainer Gwenda Markwell, who had a big team and won a host of local titles – had made it impossible for him to win a home track premiership before.

. Newcastle jockey Aaron Bullock wasted no time doing what he does best – riding winners – when he made a return to the saddle at Mudgee today.

Bullock, sidelined with a number of injuries since riding his 1158^th career winner at Taree in early March, won the first two races at the six-race program.

He scored on Portofino ($1.24 favorite) and Stormy Seas ($3.30).

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MAY 10, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS