Josh Parr keeps form surge going as Cloudland storms home for another first-up win at Rosehill

Jockey Josh Parr showcased his exceptional late-season form by guiding Cloudland to a thrilling first-up win at Rosehill.

Josh Parr bring grey gelding Cloudland (right) with a well-timed run to score at Rosehill. Picture: Getty Images

Jockey Josh Parr continued his late-season form surge when propelling eye-catching grey Cloudland to another first-up triumph at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Parr and Cloudland powered home from just worse than midfield, surging down the middle in the straight to stylishly score in the Foundation Female Member Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m).

It was in stark contrast to his earlier all the way victory on Storm The Ramparts but brought up another winning double for the in-form hoop.

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Parr, who had a treble seven days earlier at Rosehill Gardens, endured a somewhat lean winter in Brisbane but has been riding the crest of wave since turning his focus back to his home state and is eager to keep the hot streak going.

“When a jockey is in form and confident, things just happen and they happen without you even thinking about it,” Parr said.

“You just have ride the wave and everyone is on that rollercoaster.

“You’ve got to enjoy it when it’s here.”

Cloudland was a three-time winner fresh before Saturday but the Kris Lees-trained galloper was sent out as a $21 outsider in his return.

Parr would have been smiling to himself during the run with a genuine tempo affording runners back in the pack with every chance.

He hit the front on Cloudland inside the final 150m and held the Joe Pride-trained Cosmonova ($9.50) to a length margin with James Cummings’ Fleetwood ($11) close up in third.

“He gave me a really good effort today,” Parr said.

“The speed was on which was nice and we found that three-wide with cover line and he really appreciated it.

☁️ Away with the clouds! ☁️

Cloudland storms home first up, and that's a Rosehill double to @JoshuaParr8!@LeesKris@OTIRacing@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/k17egoFFVR

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 5, 2025

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“He is a horse that you can’t bully around too much. You have to allow him to please himself and I think in that position with room, he appreciated it.

“We saw a really good turn of foot from him, albeit maybe 50 yards too soon, but I am glad he put enough of a gap in them to hold on late.”

Lees’ stable representative Danny Greer said the stable were expecting another bold first-up performance from Cloudland.

“We quietly confident coming here today, we were just a little bit worried about the draw,” he said.

“We knew they would run along early and give him the chance to find the line strongly.

“It was a really nice from Josh Parr as well, it’s always nice when we can connection with him.”

Greer indicated the Listed $200,000 Ramornie Handicap at Grafton could come up too quick for Cloudland.

Meanwhile, the Ciaron Maher-trained Hi Dubai highlighted her tenacity to hold off all challengers in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1100m).

Star apprentice Braith Nock was able to control things from out in front and Hi Dubai ($3.10 equal favourite) had enough in the tank late to edge out the flying Savagery Vibe ($3.10 equal favourite) to his inside.

How about that finish?! Hi Dubai has somehow held on 🤯🤯

Braith Nock on the board for Ciaron Maher 👏👏@NockBraith@cmaherracing@Dynamic_WONITpic.twitter.com/KeZyU8EVpM

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 5, 2025

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“I just wanted to make sure we got that mid-race breather,” Nock said.

“It takes quite a while to wind up so I just wanted to get going at the 500m and build momentum.

“It worked out good.”

Hi Dubai had been building towards another victory this preparation following a pair of close thirds at Royal Randwick to begin her preparation.

The daughter of Highland Reel has now banked more than $320,000 for connections with a record of four wins and six placings from 14 starts.

“She deserved it,” Maher’s stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord said.

“It was the right set up, third up and very fit.

“Stepping up to 1100m with some give in the track, all the boxes were ticked but she had to be tough.

“We would like a few more like her. She was beaten a few times down the straight but she kept kicking and obviously the claim helped.”

The victory completed a winning double for managing connections Dynamic Syndications, which has early tasted success with the Jason Deamer-trained African Daisy.

Originally published as Josh Parr keeps form surge going as Cloudland storms home for another first-up win at Rosehill