Kembla preview: Wild Thoughts set to shine despite draw
Local trainer Kerry Parker is optimistic of a good days racing, not just about the chances of his home track quartet but also his lone city runner.
Parker has a good opinion of lightly-raced three-year-old Wild Thoughts who made his debut at Kembla back in January when third behind Modella.
Put away, the Proven Thoroughbreds-owned son of So You Think has returned in very good order with an all-the-way trial win on his home track last month.
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'That was a terrific preparation for him last time in,' said Parker.
'He trialled nicely at Warwick Farm and then ran well on debut before going for a spell.
'It was good education for him and this is now the start of his first real preparation.'
Parker's confidence was dented a little when Wild Thoughts drew barrier 11 in the Midway Maiden Handicap (1200m).
'Unfortunately, he has drawn a bad gate so he is going to need some luck.
'We will just have to ride him conservatively early with cover.
'If the race is run at a suitable tempo, I expect him to finishing strongly and make his presence felt.'
Parker was tickled pink with the first-up run of Tom Cruising when runner-up behind Miss Stalwart at the Sapphire Coast over an unsuitable distance.
He feels the son of American Pharoah is in with a great chance when he steps up to his ideal distance in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m) where he has drawn barrier 3.
'It was the first time I have ever run him over 1200 metres and it was a sensational run,' he said.
'I only took him there because it looked a nice race to start him off in on soft ground on a big track.
'He zipped up the inside really well in the straight.
'He has come back this time in a good frame of mind and is feeling well so I have no problem stepping him out to a mile which is more to his liking.
'I expect him to run really well again.'
Why Why Why ran well on debut when third to Jared at Goulburn and followed up with a two-and-a-quarter length sixth to Shalaa Jet at Wyong.
With a big drop in weight thanks to the 4kg claim of stable apprentice Ryan Bradley, the three-year-old gelding should be very competitive in the Maiden Plate (1600m).
'He is still learning his trade. He's only a little fella so getting the four kilo apprentice on will definitely help him,' Parker said.
'I was really pleased with his first run at Goulburn.
'We probably tried to ride him a bit cute and make use of the inside barrier at Wyong last start.
'They ran along the first half of the race pretty slick and he was under pressure a fair way out. I think they ran something like nine lengths faster than the other mile race for the first half (mile).
'He kept grinding away and wasn't beat that fare so he still went alright.'
Bradley will also partner the stayer Cosmos Factory who resumes in the Class 1 Handicap (1400m).
'Naturally he will be better as he gets out over more ground but it looks a nice enough race for him,' said Parker.
'With that weight off his back, he could run a place in a race like this with no surprise.'
Parker's day starts off at Randwick with consistent mare Callistemon in the Midway Handicap (1600m).
'Callistemon and Let's Go Again have been running on alternate weeks and placed in the last four (Midways) between them.
'It would be nice if the luck turns our way and we can knock one off.'
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