PARKER’S RANDWICK TRIO SENT HIM HOME HAPPY

KERRY Parker left Royal Randwick on Saturday a happy man for the return trip to the Illawarra.

The multiple Group 1 winning trainer took three horses to headquarters – and all ran well, highlighted by Well Timed’s return to winning form in the closer.

Along with the five-year-old Nicconi gelding’s dominant victory on resumption in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m), he also was pleased with the other first-up performances of his talented stayer Flying Bandit and metropolitan debutante Otono.

Wagga Cup winner Flying Bandit ($13) was an eye-catching sixth, after being held up for clear running for some time in the straight, in Shohisha’s Benchmark 94 Handicap (1600m), and lightly-raced five-year-old mare Otono ($19) also was sixth, to Gosford trainer Angela Davies’ Denman Star ($2.35 favorite) in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m).

Understandably, Parker was both delighted and relieved to get Well Timed back into winning vein after several out of character performances during the autumn.

After a first-up second to Mahogany Girl in a heat of the Provincial-Midway Championships (1400m) at Hawkesbury in March, Well Timed failed at his next three starts.

‘I don’t know why he raced so poorly then, but looking back he loomed up to win that Qualifier at Hawkesbury and didn’t get past the winner,” Parker said this morning.

“Something must have been wrong. After those three failures, we stopped with him, and gave him a break and he has come back well.

“He did a good job yesterday after being trapped wide early.

“I was pleased just to get him back in such good form.

“There is improvement in him as he is still a bit woolly.”

Well Timed has a particular affinity with Randwick, where he has been successful three times from five career victories.

Ridden by Nash Rawiller, who also wore the same colours to a memorable triumph on Parker's now retired champ Think It Over in the 2023 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, Well Timed ($7) would not be denied over the last 200m and defeated fancied pair Winston Hills ($4.40) and $3.40 favorite Dominetta.

Parker was rapt with Flying Bandit, who returned to racing en route to a crack at the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 4.

“It was a super run from a stayer,” he said.

“He has pulled up well and will run in the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday week as his final lead-up to The Metropolitan.”

Otono, a five-year-old daughter of The Autumn Sun, came to town on the back of three wins from her first six starts, and ran well.

“We wanted to find out if she was up to city grade, and she showed that she is,” Parker said.

“On that showing, we will definitely go back for another Midway in town.”

. Newcastle apprentice Ben Osmond was suspended after pleading guilty to a careless riding charge arising from Well Timed’s race.

RacingNSW stewards told Osmond his term will begin on September 14, and he may ride again on September 28.

Promising young Newcastle sprinter Hidden Motive will trial at Wyong on Monday morning.

The Capitalist three-year-old, who races in the Kurrinda Bloodstock colors, hasn’t started since winning a 2YO Handicap (1100m) at Randwick on June 7.

Story John Curtis, September 8, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos