KERRY Parker says Close Encounter “needed a cuddle” when he bought him for $70,000 as an early unraced two-year-old in October 2022.
“He was only a little bloke, but there was something about him that I liked,” the Kembla Grange trainer said on Sunday following the rising four-year-old’s victory on his home track on Saturday.
“I like his sire Nicconi and his dam is a More Than Ready mare, and Close Encounter had good conformation and was athletic.
“He looked like a runner.”
A well-backed $3.50 favorite, the lightly-raced Close Encounter (Lee Magorrian) won his second race at only his ninth start to continue Parker’s brilliant season.
In a tense finish, Parker’s three-year-old edged out Deep Finesse ($15) and Struff ($5) in the Midway Class 1 Handicap (1300m).
Not only did Close Encounter provide his trainer with his 27th victory of the 2023-24 racing year, but also was his fourth winner from his last 10 starters.
Parker won races in consecutive days with debutante Take You There ($31) at Kembla Grange on July 18, Slipstreaming ($12) at Queanbeyan on July 19, and Herb ($8) at Rosehill Gardens a day later.
Having purchased Close Encounter at the Inglis Ready2Race sale in 2022, he trains the gelding for Christine Johnston.
“Close Encounter is off to the paddock for a break,” Parker said.
“He won his Maiden (1000m) first-up at Kembla Grange in late April, and has now had six starts this time in.
“He hasn’t finished further back than sixth in those runs, and I’m not going to overcook him.
“I want to give him the chance to get stronger.”
Parker revealed Close Encounter’s jockey Magorrian has been making regular trips to Kembla Grange to ride work for him.
“Lee is a very strong rider, and I was happy to reward him for the work he has been putting in,” he said.
Whilst it’s been a terrific season in spite of the retirement of his stars Think It Over and Hope In Your Heart, Parker is keen to kick off a new season in the same winning style at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
He is taking Herb back to town for a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m).
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Whilst Sunday’s Muswellbrook meeting was postponed until Monday, fellow Kembla Grange trainers Theresa Bateup and Paul Murray were in winning groove at the Sapphire Coast fixture.
Bateup combined with jockey Jess Taylor to clinch a double, scoring with Tartana ($4.40) and Mulvader ($2.70 favorite).
Tartana easily took the Eden Cup (a 1600m Benchmark 66 Handicap), and Mulvader was an even easier winner of the Class 1/Maiden Plate (1600m).
Bateup and Taylor went close to claiming a treble; their representative Sassy Missile ($10) not being beaten far when runner-up in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m).
The double took the Kembla Grange trainer to 18 wins for the season, and a career 229. Taylor has indeed played a major role, riding 81 of those winners.
Murray quinellaed the Maiden Handicap (1200m) with One Smart Cookie ($5.50) and Kurrajong ($15) and, for good measure, Bateup ran third with Gunnaheadovski ($3.80), with Taylor in the saddle.
Kembla Grange apprentice Olivia Chambers rode her 40th winner in a benchmark season, and her career tally now stands at 77.
Story John Curtis, July 28, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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