Parkour’s shot at Magic Millions history

Godolphin has already won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a $600,000 yearling, but James Cummings recognises the difference between 2019 heroine Exhilarates and his representative this year, Parkour.

That’s beyond the obvious, being that Exhilarates was a filly and Parkour is a colt.

And while each is by a proven stallion, Exhilarates by Snitzel and Parkour by Extreme Choice, their maternal history underlines the varying nature in what makes bloodstock tick.

Exhilarates is one of the best-bred horses in the country, being out of Blue Diamond and Moir Stakes winner Samaready, while Parkour’s dam Trestrail retired a winner of just one of 11 starts.

“Exhilarates was out of a weight-for-age Group 1 winner, Parkour is out of a Class 1 winner,” Cummings said.

“But he’s by a beautiful stallion out of a Sebring mare and I like the bloodlines there in that there are two very competitive two-year-old stallions there; the best two-year-olds of their generation, chestnuts, fast and precocious.”

Parkour, who was bought out of the Goodwood Farm draft at last year’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale, will be looking to join Exhilarates as the most expensive yearling to win the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic in the 1200-metre event on Saturday.

He is the first foal from Trestrail, who is out of a half-sister to Desert Eagle, who won a Cantala Stakes at Flemington before heading to Hong Kong where he asserted himself a start sprinter/miler under the name Grand Delight.

Parkour made his debut in the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic (1000m), where he hit the line stylishly for second, albeit 3-1/2 lengths behind Arabian Summer, before storming home from last to win over 1200m at Randwick on December 30.

“Every bit of six furlongs is going to be good for him because he’s a casual customer and it gives him more opportunity to balance up and show his best late,” Cummings said.

“Five furlongs was evidently too short on debut, but he’s improved a bit since then and even now I don’t think we’re seeing the best of him.

“He’s going to be a horse to look forward to later in the autumn and the trip away is the type of thing that’s going to continue to improve the horse, because he needs something to wake him up.”

Jamie Kah has ridden Parkour at both starts and retains the ride for Saturday with the pair to jump from the outside barrier in the field of 16.

“Let’s face it, Parkour, no matter where he drew, was not going to be any closer than six lengths off the lead,” he said.

“He’s going to be faced with many lengths to make up in the race, but I can imagine a way in which the race might be run to suit that type of horse.”

Parkour is a $9.50 chance in Magic Millions 2YO Classic betting with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Justify colt Storm Boy the $2.30 favourite.