Russell Stewart calls Bluff on Street Parade

Street Parade is close to resuming after two sound trials, but there’s a new race in Albany next year that has piqued the interest of trainer Russell Stewart.

“I want to set him for that Bluff Knoll,” Russell Stewart told The Races WA.

“I want to have a crack at that next year.

“It’s good little coin for a race in Albany.

“The race is 1099m which is right up Street Parade’s alley.

“I’ll aim him that way and make sure that’s his grand final.

“It’s a race that is going to sneak up on a lot of people.

“They might not set one for it, once the Pinnacles is over they’ll look at lead-up races to the Quokka.”

Following the success of the inaugural $4 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot last April, the Albany Racing Club will conduct a new slot race: the Bluff Knoll.

Carrying $350,000 in prizemoney, the richest WA race outside of the Perth metropolitan area, Bluff Knoll is named after the highest peak of the Stirling Range National Park.

Thirteen spots in the race will be sold at $20,000 to slot holders and will be staged at Albany on March 10, next year.

Street Parade, a Lucky Street four-year-old, has not raced since winning a 1000m handicap at Ascot in March, but is on track for his return after smart trials.

In his first trial he ran a close third to Deep Field and Valor Road and on Monday he was overhauled late by boom mare Amelia’s Jewel after setting the pace.

Stewart has locked in three target races for Street Parade: the Jolly Beggar Stakes (1000m), the Nicopolis Stakes (1200m) and Black Heart Bart Stakes (1200m).

“He’s come back quite well,” Stewart said.

“He’s had two good trials and Steven (Parnham) was really happy with him.

“He went across the line together with Valour Road and we know how good Valour Road is at his best.

“He then runs into a freak (Amelia’s Jewel) and had a good blow after.

“He’ll benefit from the two trials and I want him at his best for these three starts.

“He’s as good as when he went out.”

Stewart said Street Parade’s first up run will determine which path he takes ahead of the Ascot Pinnacles carnival.

“Saturday week he is going to the Jolly Beggar and that will give me a guide on where he sits.

“There are certain carnival races this year, but not Group 1 of the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).

“I think we miss those sprinters in that six week period that are all going for the Winterbottom.

“He could be a carnival horse next year, you never know.

“He’ll have the three runs, break and then races like the Summer Scorcher and Miss Andretti in 2024 before the Bluff Knoll.”