Local trainer Kerry Parker isn’t one for keeping records or statistics on his career but was chuffed to find out he is just one victory away from a significant milestone.
Parker has prepared 149 winners at Kembla and with a strong team this weekend, can ‘raise the bat’ for his 150 and he is also just nine away from 450 career wins.
“That would be nice. It would be really good,” Parker said.
“I had no idea of either of those marks but it will ne nice to reach them.”
Leading the charge on his home track is light-raced but promising mare Elivina in the Class 1 Handicap (1400m) with Adrian Layt to ride.
The daughter of Saxon Warrior had a win and three placings from five starts in her first campaign and was just behind the placegetters in the other two.
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“We have always has had a bit of an opinion of her,” he said.
“She is building a nice record. She just needs to win another shortly and she will be on her way.”
The four-year-old returned this campaign with a solid closing three-quarter length second behind Storm Season over this track and distance.
“She went terrific first-up. If she can turn up and produce the same again, she is going to be hard to beat,” Parker said.
Parker gave Otono a couple of runs over 1800m and 2000m but the daughter of The Autumn Sun just didn’t run them out.
Parker drops her back to 1600m in the Benchmark 64 with apprentice Zac Wadick to ride.
“She was in the right race last start but didn’t run on at all,” he said.
“We have freshened her to come back to the mile and hopefully she can bounce back to form and get a bit of confidence back.
“A kilo and a half off for young Zac will help her.”
In the same race, Parker also saddles up the in-form Tom Cruising who has won his past two on his home track.
“He is shooting for the hat-trick the big fella,” said Parker.
“He was running really well but was just in slowly run races and he needs a genuine tempo because he does nothing early, builds through his gears and finds the line.
“He got into a couple of genuinely run races and got rolling.
“He is climbing up in the weights. He’s got 59.5 kilos this week but it’s his third shot at a Benchmark 64 so he’s going alright.”
Iconic Treasure finished last when resuming at Canterbury but Parker was still pleased with the run.
The gelding will find the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m) on a big track more to his liking and he has won two from three second-up.
“I thought his run was good. They were just too slick for him over the 1100 metres where they really ran along but he was strong through the line,” he said.
“I don’t think Canterbury really suits him either. Here on the bigger track will suit him.
“He comes back a grade and this is a nice race for him.”
Equilibrist kicks off his preparation in the same race but has drawn near the outside barrier.
“He has drawn off the track and will need a little bit of luck,” he said.
“He got in to some really good form last preparation and I’d like to see him hitting the line and shows us that he is back in that good form again.”
Parker also has lightly-raced pair Mrs Flanders and Leon Ruben along with debutant Broadway Street engaged at the meeting and feels they can run well.
