KERRY Parker has called on provincial king Keagan Latham to partner Well Timed for his Provincial-Midway Championships opener at Hawkesbury on Saturday.
Latham has won three of the last four provincial riding premierships (62 winners in 2020-21, 60 in 2022-23, and 57 in 2023-24), and currently leads this season’s title with 34 winners.
“I guess he’s the provincial Nash,” Kembla Grange-based Parker said this morning, a reference to Nash Rawiller, who will ride Well Timed if he makes the $1m PMC Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.
“Keagan has ridden for me now and then, but it’s hard to get him.”
Parker says he is taking nothing for granted ahead of Saturday’s third Qualifier (1400m), for which Well Timed (57.5kg) is one of 18 entries for the provincial only heat.
The first two placegetters will join Rapt, Bojangles, fellow Kembla Grange trainer Paul Murray’s Welcometobarbados, and Lord Of Biscay in the Final.
“Well Timed has had three trials and is ready to go on Saturday,” Parker said.
“But it’s not easy to qualify for the Final. They have to turn up on the day.
“I had a couple of horses (Heavenly Anna and Virgilio) qualify for the 2017 Final, but were unplaced.
“Fortunately, I’ve got two horses (Flying Bandit is the other) this year who are eligible and have the right form to be competitive.”
Well Timed is one of four $8 favorites for the April 12 Final, and Flying Bandit is at $15.
Rawiller has partnered four-year-old Well Timed at his last five starts in town, including winning two Midway Benchmark 72 Handicaps (1200m and 1400m) at Randwick in August and September.
Well Timed hasn’t raced since being unplaced in the $1m Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick on October 19.
Stablemate Flying Bandit will go his home track Qualifier (1400m) – also for eligible provincial-trained horses only – on March 22.
Hat-trick seeker Flying Bandit was rested after winning a Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (2000m) at Randwick on October 24 and Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1800m) at Randwick on November 5.
“He has had two trials, and is cruising along nicely,” Parker said.
. Private Harry will have four rivals when he trials on the course proper at Newcastle tomorrow.
The unbeaten colt’s trainer Nathan Doyle also runs Harlem Queen, Kris Lees has Rustic Steel and French import Valimi, and Ciaron Maher has Glory Daze.
This will be Private Harry’s second trial since returning to his Broadmeadow stable in preparation for the $1m Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22.
Newcastle Jockey Club received 22 entries for Friday’s $250,000 Group 3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m).
Last spring’s Randwick Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) winner Airman is topweight with 60.5kg, but is also nominated for Saturday’s Group 1 wfa Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick.
TAB.com.au, prior to Wednesday morning’s acceptances, had Airman’s stablemate Makarena and Amenable sharing favoritism at $4.50.
Only two provincial horses – Nathan Doyle’s Wooloowin ($6) and Kris Lees’ Hellavadancer ($34) – have been nominated.
Story John Curtis, March 4, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos
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