KERRY Parker says the pre-post market might not necessarily be a true guide to his best chance in Saturday’s Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap at Rosehill Gardens.
The Kembla Grange trainer has two mares – Justela and Mah Ali – engaged in the 1400m race.
In an open affair, Justela (Jay Ford) on Friday morning was the $4.60 favorite with TAB.com.au, and Mah Ali (Tim Clark) was at $11.
The stablemates also raced against each other in similar grade at their home track’s The Gong meeting on November 23 when Justela won and Mah Ali finished fifth.
However, Parker pointed out the latter didn’t have any luck in the run whereas the former did – and this time there is a 2.5kg turnaround in Mah Ali’s favour.
“Justela got a perfect run at Kembla Grange, was produced at the right time in the straight and won well,” he said.
“But Mah Ali’s run was excellent.
“She drew worse than Justela, and raced three wide throughout without cover and was only nabbed for fourth right on the post.
“Change the runs in the race and it could have been a different story.
“Both mares have drawn well this time (Justela in barrier four and Mah Ali in five), and it will come down to whoever gets the better run as to which proves to be my best chance.
“They have trained on strongly, and go to Rosehill in great order.”
Justela was having her second start this preparation when successful at Kembla Grange, and Mah Ali was having her fourth and had been successful in a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m) at Hawkesbury 16 days earlier.
Blinkers went on Mah Ali for her Hawkesbury assignment.
Parker, who has trained 11 winners so far this season, also takes another form mare Vieste to the Rosehill meeting.
The last start Newcastle winner will line up in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1800m), with Tim Clark again in the saddle.
Having only her third start for Parker, Vieste led throughout in a Class 1 Handicap (1850m) at Newcastle on November 27.
Both her career victories have been at that track and distance; the first as a maiden in a Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap in September last year when a $61 bolter.
“Tim Clark’s typically brilliant front running ride was significant in Vieste’s latest win in a small field,” Parker said.
“He stacked them up in front, and then outsprinted them in the straight.
“This is a tougher assignment going to a Saturday race in town, and Tim might not be able to get the same leniency.
“Still she comes down 3.5kg for the rise in grade and, like Justela and Mah Ali, goes to the races in really good order.”
In yet another open race Vieste was at $16 on Friday morning with Newcastle mare Bestower (Chad Schofield) and Heed The Omens (Tommy Berry) disputing favoritism at $5.
Parker’s fellow Kembla Grange trainer Mitch Beer (Brazil, Blake Spriggs) and Newcastle’s Jay Hopkins (Sonofdec, apprentice William Stanley) are also represented.
Story John Curtis, December 6, 2024 - Bradley Photos
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