top of page
Search

TIME TO TRIAL IN READINESS FOR PROVINCIAL-MIDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Provincial Racing NSW

Updated: Jan 27




FOUR TIMES Group 1 winning trainer Kerry Parker has two of the favorites in the early market on this year’s Provincial-Midway Championships Final.

But whilst co-favorite Well Timed is back in work and ready to trial in preparation for the series, stablemate Flying Bandit has only just returned to his trainer’s Kembla Grange base and may make a late bid to qualify for the $1m Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.

In the first market issued by TAB.com.au on the PMC Final, Well Timed shares favoritism with Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle’s Midnight Opal (who has won two of his last three Sydney starts) at $11.

Flying Bandit, who has won his last two starts; the latest at Randwick on November 5 over 1800m before spelling, is on the second line at $15.

Well Timed, who races in the same colours as Parker’s retired star Think It Over, scored over 1200m and 1400m at Randwick in August and September before finishing 11th to Ostraka in the $1m Group 3 Silver Eagle (1300m) there on October 19.



“He had a nice little break after the Silver Eagle, and I’m happy with the way he is coming along,” Parker said today.

“He will trial at home on Thursday, and all going well will trial again at Warwick Farm on February 11.

“I’ll be guided by how he performs in the trials as to when we kick him off.”

Hawkesbury will stage the opening Qualifier over 1400m on Thursday, February 20 for both eligible provincial and Midway horses.

“Well Timed is more advanced than Flying Bandit, who hasonly recently returned to the stable,” Parker said.

“If he is ready in time, there’s the March 22 Qualifier over 1400m at home (also for eligible provincial and Midway horses).

“It’s all going to depend on how he progresses.”

Parker has spelled his six-year-old mare Justela after her unplaced run behind Perfumist in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1500m) against her own sex at Rosehill Gardens on January 18.

“She did a terrific job, and has earned a break,” Parker said.

“Winning a couple of metropolitan Midway Handicaps is hard to knock, and I’m sure there is further improvement in her as she hasn’t had a lot of racing even though she is six.”

. Provincial trainers Mark Minervini (Newcastle) and Adam Duggan (Gosford) were winners at the Australia Day meeting at Wyong today.




Minervini took the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m) with King’s Duty ($6.50), ridden by Lee Magorrian.

In an all-provincial finish, Minervini’s five-year-old defeated Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ French Marine (also $6.50) and Hawkesbury trainers Mitch and Desiree Kearney’s Lady Shenanigans ($26).

Adding merit to the gelding’s win was that he lost both front plates in running.

Duggan’s promising three-year-old Tikiroo (Josh Parr) took the Midway Class 1 Handicap (1600m) as a $2.05 favorite.

The son of Xtravagant made it two on end, having broken through in style in a 1400m Maiden Plate at Taree on January7 at only his fourth start.

Story John Curtis, January 26, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos

45 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


© 2024 Provincial Racing NSW 
Powered by GoDaddy.com

bottom of page