PARKER AND McCONVILLE STRIKE WINNING FORM

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IT’S been a good week for Kembla Grange trainers Kerry Parker and Ross McConville.

Both had success at their home track meeting yesterday in between victories at Moruya today and Canterbury last Wednesday.

Multiple Group 1 winner Parker produced Rhythm Of The Rein, who made a very promising debut at Kembla Grange yesterday.

Ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, the Cosmic Force three-year-old started a well supported $2.30 favorite in the Midway Maiden Plate (1000m), and was too good for McConville’s Extreme Courage ($21) and That’sallshewrote ($4.60).

Rhythm Of The Rein races in the same colours as Parker’s now retired champ Think It Over, and was bred by his owner Richard Johnston.

He had won an 800m Maiden trial at the inside Illawarra Grange track on August 4, ironically partnered by Chad Lever, who rode runner-up Extreme Courage yesterday.

“Rhythm Of The Rein has a bit of quality, and a good attitude,” Parker said.

“He is a lovely horse to do anything with, and there’s definitely further improvement in him.

“It was great to see him kick off his career in such good fashion.”

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Rhythm Of The Rein’s dam, the unraced Street Cry mare Cadencia, is a half-sister to Parker’s four-times winner Equilibrist.

Unfortunately, their dam Munhro passed away in October 2023.

Parker added to Rhythm Of The Rein’s brilliant debut with another easy winner at Moruya today.

Mrs Flanders (Jeff Penza), like her stablemate, also started favorite – but at $1.80 – and trounced her rivals in the Maiden Plate (1010m).

At her ninth start and after three placings, Mrs Flanders scored by six lengths from Hawkesbury husband and wife Phil and Tara Vigoroux’s Edna Mae ($8) and fellow Kembla Grange trainer Theresa Bateup’s Mr Bazza ($8).

As with Rhythm Of The Rein, McConville’s Flying Arabesque also scored in the manner of a horse who will win again.

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Ridden by Chad Lever, Flying Arabesque ($4.40) burst home to take the Super Maiden Handicap (1600m), then had to withstand a protest lodged in behalf of runner-up and $3.30 favorite Emirate Star - not that his trainer was concerned.

McConville paid only $15,000 for the son of Trapeze Artist, but has had to be patient with the four-year-old, who was having only his fourth start.

“There was a problem with the x-rays when I bought Flying Arabesque, but Widden Stud assured me the horse was fine but I had to take my time with him.

“I gave him only one start as a two-year-old in March, and that was his third run back yesterday.

“The manner in which he finished at the end of the 1600m yesterday was a good sign for the future.”

McConville was understandably thrilled to get a city breakthrough with Donwon at Canterbury last Wednesday.

“He has always promised to win a race in town, and hopefully he can do it again in a similar event (a 1250m Benchmark 72 Handicap) there on Wednesday week.”

STORY JOHN CURTIS, AUGUST 16, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS