PARKER HOPING FAVORITE’S FINISH WILL BE BANG ON TIME

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KEMBLA Grange trainer Kerry Parker has been patient with a New Zealand purchase, and hopes she will be bang on time when she races at Hawkesbury tomorrow.

A five-year-old daughter of Almanzor, Bang On Time lines up for her sixth start in the Fowler Civil Contracting Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1500m), in search of her second success.

Chad Schofield rides the mare for a third time, and she is currently sharing TAB.com.au fixed odds favoritism at $2.50 with leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup’s Blue Brigid (Zac Lloyd).

Bang On Time fetched $160,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock yearling sale at Karaka in 2023 after Proven Thoroughbreds had raced her half-sister Bang On Target (by Smart Missile), who started only twice and was an impressive debut winner at Parker’s home track for Royal Randwick trainer John Thompson in July 2018.

“I wasn’t associated with Proven Thoroughbreds then, but no doubt the connection was there to buy Bang On Time,” Parker said this morning.

“This mare wasn’t big and we gave her plenty of time.

“She didn’t begin racing until four years of age and had a good first preparation, running well at all three starts.

“Bang On Time ran second on debut at home in March, then broke through at Newcastle the following month against her own sex in a 1250m Maiden Plate (as an odds-on favorite).”

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Since returning from a spell, Bang On Time has finished fourth and third at midweek meetings on the inside Illawarra Grange track; the latest in a Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m) on October 1.

Schofield rode her on both occasions. 

Bang On Time’s debut at Kembla Grange was on a ‘Heavy 8’, so Parker isn’t concerned about the certainty of rain-affected ground at Hawkesbury tomorrow.

“I’m sure she will appreciate it,” he said.

“She found the track a bit firm last time at home.

“My main concern is the weight (59kg topweight) because of her size.

“But she is in good order and ready to step up to 1500m.”

Whilst Parker is looking forward to more suitable conditions for Bang On Time, he is unsure about taking his other acceptors Southern Grace and Tom Cruising to Hawkesbury.

Jason Collett is booked for another Proven Thoroughbreds mare Southern Grace in the Paul “Griffo” Griffin Memorial Maiden Plate (1100m), and Chad Lever is scheduled to ride Tom Cruising in the Richmond Club Benchmark 68 Handicap (1500m).

“I’ll check the updated track condition before scratching time in the morning, and then make a decision,” Parker said.

“I’m doubtful about beginning Southern Grace’s campaign on a wet track, and Tom Cruising is better on good ground.”

Hawkesbury trainer Fabio Martino says Richmond Club Benchmark 68 favorite All Star ($3.30) is “very doubtful” to take his place tomorrow.

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Jean Van Overmeire is booked for All Star, who returns to provincial grade after finishing second and sixth over 1600m and 1800m respectively at his last two starts at Randwick.

Van Overmeire rode the four-year-old son of I Am Invincible when he easily won a Midway Benchmark 68 (1400m) at a Saturday meeting at Hawkesbury on September 5.

“I wasn’t concerned about bringing him back to 1500m being a suitable Benchmark 68, but at this stage I’m very doubtful about running him on a soft track,” Martino said.

. The seven-race program begins at 1.50pm, and the rail is 2m out from the 1100m to 450m, and in the TRUE position for the remainder of the circuit.

A ‘Soft 7’ rating was posted at 8am today following 23mm of rain in the previous 24 hours (a total of 30mm in the past week).

No irrigation has been put on the track in the previous 24 hours of course, but 9mm in the last seven days.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, OCTOBER 14, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS