Godolphin with a rare $3million Magic Millions Classic contender
It’s not often the powerhouse Godolphin team have a Magic Millions runner but their promising two-year-old colt Parkour ($2.50F) could fit that bill.
After a solid second on debut in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at Ballarat, the son of Extreme Choice put them to the sword with a dominant win over Vianarra ($13) by a length and a quarter at Royal Randwick. A brave Sacred Fort ($6) was a further short head back in third after a torrid run in transit sitting three-wide no cover the trip.
Having only purchased two yearlings at the previous Magic Millions sales, Parkour presents an opportunity for trainer James Cummings to have a rare runner in the rich two-year-old restricted race and he feels his charge has the right qualities to make his presence felt.
“There is a lot about this two-year-old that screams out that he is a genuine two-year-old contender,” Cummings said.
“But he needed to keep improving and that’s what he keeps doing, he keeps stepping up to the plate.
“He was nicely furnished, he looked fit today but there is a bit of improvement in him.
“He stepped out and got beaten three and a half lengths on debut, but he has won by a length going away and he is an interesting prospect.
“That will safely get him into the Magic Millions field if we choose to go that way.”
Rider Jamie Kah, who had previously rode Parkour in the Ballarat feature, was full of praise for the preparation that Cummings had put into the colt. She opted to settle last in the run and save him for one final sprint once they cornered.
“He’s not a 1000m squibbie sort of horse, he wants further and today I just made sure I popped out and gave him the whole straight,” Kah said.
“It’s like riding a five-year-old out there. I love riding Godolphin two-year-olds, because they are so well educated.
“I’ve always liked this horse, I’ve done a bit of work on him before Ballarat.
“He’s still doing it all on raw ability. It hasn’t really dropped of clicked yet with him so he’s an exciting horse.”
Today’s victory saw Parkour firm into $8 in fixed odds betting with the TAB for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in two week’s time.
More Racing News
Ciaron Maher eyes four entrants for VRC St Leger
The champion stayer trainer Ciaron Maher counts one horse already locked in for Saturday's Listed VRC St Leger at Flemington, but he is pushing for substantially more involvement in the key event.Among the 28 declarations for the $200,000 2800-metre race are Awesome Artist, Noble Falcon, Intervened, and Tasmanian Derby champion...
New Zealand's Confesara eyes victory in Australasian Oaks
The track record of Roger James in capturing Australian Group 1 events for three-year-old fillies goes all the way back to the beginning of the 2000s, and he seeks to add to that tally this coming Saturday.Teaming up with co-trainer Robert Wellwood, the Kiwi conditioner has entered Confesara for the...
Adelaide hosts Niance's campaign launch
Grahame Begg, the trainer, is travelling to Adelaide featuring his capable mare Niance, potentially opening doors to a Brisbane-focused campaign for the quick runner.Since Flemington lacks fitting sprint races for Niance on Saturday, Begg chooses the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville.By chance, Flemington's Anzac Day schedule...
Cap Ferrat set for reunion with Williams in Queen Elizabeth II Cup
The top jockey Craig Williams seeks to conclude a demanding weekend on a high note with a Group 1 win in Hong Kong, reuniting with 2025 Hong Kong Derby champion Cap Ferrat in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin come April 26.On Saturday, Williams boasts almost a...
Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success
Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via...
All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory
Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.In addition, Waller filled the first two...
Mornington Cup win gives Kings Valley direct entry to Caulfield Cup
Kings Valley, under the guidance of trainer Ciaron Maher, has clinched a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup courtesy of a gritty performance at Mornington.The Listed Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday delivers the 'Golden Ticket' access to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) scheduled for October.Maher notched his second Mornington...
Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes
At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...
Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...
JRA Plate victory confirms Asterix at his sharpest
The win by Asterix stood out as somewhat surprising compared to Waller's earlier triumphs, given the progressive eight-year-old gelding was dispatched at $16 into the race.Having captured the New Zealand Derby four years back, Asterix lost momentum for a period before flashing his class last summer with a win in...