Tough mare up for the challenge in the Nivison
Parisal’s first-up win proved her capacity to absorb pressure and James Cummings says she will probably have to show the same resilience to overcome a wide draw in The Nivison.
The Astern mare settled midfield from a similarly awkward gate in the Toy Show Quality (1300m) and tracked three and four-wide throughout before digging deep to chase down Queen Of The Ball for an against-the-odds win.
With the scratching of Vienna Princess from Saturday’s Rosehill feature, Parisal will jump from the outside barrier in the 13-horse Nivison (1200m) field and Cummings says she is again likely to get no favours in a race that otherwise presents as an ideal goal.
“I’m delighted with Parisal, it’s the right race for that mare,” Cummings said.
“The set-up is a little bit challenging, she’s going to need to do a little bit of work to get the required run in the race to win.
“But that’s OK, she has demonstrated she’s capable of producing enough speed early and still being capable of fighting on late.
“I think she’s in good shape and has got to be presenting as an excellent chance for us.”
Pre-post punters agree and she has firmed from $3.70 into $3.20 with Boombet to hold a slim market edge over Victorian raider Magic Time ($3.70).
The pair are clear top picks with Queen Of The Ball ($7) the only other runner under double-figure odds.
Parisal and Magic Time have met once before in the P J Bell Stakes (1200m) at Randwick during the autumn with the latter getting the verdict over the Godolphin filly by 1-1/4 lengths.
However, that was on a heavy track and while Rosehill was a soft 6 on Thursday following just over 11 mils of overnight rain, Australian Turf Club deputy racecourse manager Dave Morrison expected the windy conditions to ensure it was closer to good come race day.
“It’s just into the (soft) six range,” Morrison said on the ATC’s weekly track report video.
“We will see this wind will dry us out and I’m predicting it will be a (soft) five and coming into a perfect race day on Saturday.”
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...