“MAE” READY TO STEP OUT OF MIDWAY CLASS IN TOWN

KERRY Parker says he won’t mind at all if hat-trick seeker All The Way Mae strikes a heavy track at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The multiple Group 1 winning Kembla Grange trainer is ready to test the filly out of Midway class, and will line her up in a Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) against other three-year-olds.

All The Way Mae, a daughter of 2019 The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes, is showing the ability her trainer knew she possessed earlier in career.

Her three starts this campaign have been in stark contrast to three unplaced runs last spring, after which Parker pulled the pin and gave her a lengthy break.

All The Way Mae had made a successful debut in May last year, easily defeating six rivals in a 900m 2YO Handicap at Newcastle on a ‘Heavy 10’ track.

The filly at her first start since late October ran third to Tides Turning in a Class 1 Handicap (1000m) at Hawkesbury on April 14.

She has since strung wins together at Kembla Grange in a similar race over the same distance on May 9, leading throughout to score convincingly, and then taking a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap over Saturday’s course at Rosehill on May 30.

“It’s been a month between runs, but All The Way Mae had a jumpout in between and I’m very happy with her,” Parker said today.

“Now she has to step out of Midway class, and goes up 3kg on her latest win.

“But it’s the right time to test her in stronger company, and at least she is against her own age.

“She has drawn well with the rail out six metres.”

All The Way Mae’s Rosehill victory also was on heavy ground, and whilst Rosehill this morning was rated a ‘Good 4’, today’s Wyong races were washed out and Newcastle trials scheduled for tomorrow were called off, although the marathon 10-race Broadmeadow program on Saturday isn’t in any doubt.

Andrew Adkins, aboard in the filly’s Hawkesbury resumption and recent city success, has the mount again.

Parker, who has prepared 20 winners so far this season, also accepted with Equilibrist (Jay Ford) in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill.

Whilst the gelding drew near the outside, Parker wasn’t unduly concerned.

“He gets back anyway, so it’s not the disadvantage it might appear,” he said.

“But I also accepted with him at Newcastle on Saturday as a precaution.”

Parker has booked Chad Lever for the gelding in a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m).

Lever has developed a good rapport with Equilibrist, having partnered him in his last three victories – all at Kembla Grange.

Like his stablemate All The Way Mae, Equilibrist is adept on heaving ground, also having won twice.

Hawkesbury trainer Terry Croft returns lightly-raced filly Gilette in All The Way Mae’s race.

The daughter of Exceedance has raced only three times as a two-year-old for seconds at Bathurst and the Scone carnival, and a breakthrough Canterbury victory on May 28 last year.

Gilette won an 800m Kembla Grange trial in early December, but went back to the paddock.

She has since trialled twice, finishing fourth to the talented Ice Kool over 900m at Rosehill on May 11 before defeating five rivals in an 800m trial at home on June 1.

Croft has had good success with apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald, and has called on her to ride the filly at her resumption.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JUNE 25, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS