Group 1 winning trainer Kerry Parker set to test new addition So Sleek at Warwick Farm
Group 1 winning trainer Kerry Parker had an abundance of success with Think It Over, now he’s trying to get the best out of another son of So You Think at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
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Trainer Kerry Parker’s success with the outstanding Think It Over led to him being given new stable recruit So Sleek.
Parker received a phone call “out of the blue” earlier this year from the owners of So Sleek asking if he was interested in training their emerging stayer.
“The owners were looking for a change with So Sleek,’’ Parker said.
“He’s by (Coolmore’s champion stallion) So You Think who, of course, is also the sire of Think It Over.
“I guess it was the right timing for me to say yes as I had just retired Think It Over and was happy to take on So Sleek.
“The breed do get better with age and although So Sleek is a bit one-paced, he keeps building and keeps running in his races.’’
So Sleek demonstrated that staying potential at just his third start for Parker when he scored with authority at Newcastle over 2350m last start.
Parker has no qualms sending So Sleek straight to city grade for the James Squire Handicap (2200m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
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“It’s a tougher race than what he won last start and he will need to step up again,’’ the Kembla Grange-based trainer said.
“But I think he is one of those horses the further he goes the better he is.
“He ran away from them really ‘good’ at Newcastle. He’s certainly an improving stayer.’’
Parker said the likelihood of a heavy track surface at Warwick Farm – the course proper was rated a heavy 9 late on Tuesday – negates the fact So Sleek is coming back slightly in trip after his Newcastle win.
“The track is probably going to be in the heavy range or close to it so he should be ok,’’ Parker said.
“There is also a 2400m race next week at Kensington and the plan is to back him up if he runs well at Warwick Farm.’’
So Sleek is a rising five-year-old gelding and has only had 13 starts for two wins but Parker believes the stayer has a future.
“He still does a bit wrong and even when (jockey) Koby Jennings got off him the other day he said the horse was on the wrong leg for a long way and took a while to balance up,’’ Parker said.
“There’s a horse in there and I can’t wait for him next preparation.’’
So Sleek, who will be ridden at Warwick Farm by Jay Ford, is rated at $11 in latest betting behind the in-form Ciaron Maher-trained Naval Commission at $2.50.
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Parker certainly isn’t expecting So Sleek to replace Think It Over as very few racehorses had the latter’s natural ability and will-to-win.
Think It Over was retired earlier this year after winning 14 of his 42 starts including three at Group 1 level, earning more than $8.4 million prizemoney.
His greatest and most spectacular win was in the 2022 Queen Elizabeth Stakes effort when he came down the outside rail to reel in Zaaki.
Meanwhile, Parker is chasing more Group 1 success with underrated filly Callistemon in the $1 million Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
“Callistemon had absolutely no luck the other day and ran a sensational race,’’ he said of the filly’s close seventh behind Invincible Spy at Randwick. “She deserves her chance in the Oaks.’’
Parker has also nominated Justela for the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
“If Justela gets a guernsey there she will run,’’ Parker said. “But we have nominated her for Kembla Grange on Saturday as a fall-back option if we don’t get into the field for Randwick.’’
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Trainer Gary Portelli is adamant his mare Ringarosa is advantaged by the decision to switch the $160,000 Precise Air Handicap (1200m) to Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
“It’s a real coup for us to have Saturday prizemoney for a Warwick Farm race,’’ Portelli said.
“Ringarosa gets the home track advantage and the heavier the better for her.’’
The fillies and mares benchmark 78 race was originally scheduled for Rosehill last Saturday but was one of five races that were called off due to heavy rain and poor visibility.
Racing NSW and Australian Turf Club decided to add Ringarosa’s race to the Warwick Farm midweek meeting while the feature race, the Listed $200,000 Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) was moved to Saturday giving the Royal Randwick meeting a monster 11 race program.
Ringarosa looked an each way chance at Rosehill but her chances increase now she gets to race on her home track.
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The Portelli-trained mare invariably races well at Warwick Farm where she has had four previous starts for a win and two seconds.
Ringarosa’s two runs this campaign have been at Warwick Farm for successive seconds over 1000m and 1100m.
The chestnut daughter of 2008 Golden Slipper winner Sebring tends to get back in her races but she boasts a powerful finishing sprint so the step up to 1200m suits her. She has recorded two of her four career wins on tracks rated in the heavy range.
Portelli also has Rebel Shadow lining up in the Triple Time At Darley Handicap (1300m) and emergencies Capricious Belle in the Kia Ora Prague Handicap (1100m) and Debello for the All Too Hard At Vinery Stud Handicap (1100m).
“Rebel Shadow is in great order, he has the race fitness with the back up from last week, and he also likes heavy tracks,’’ Portelli said.
“Capricious Belle is a work in progress but I like the idea of running on her home track. I’m hoping Debelli gets a run as he raced too keenly last start and can turn it around.’’
Originally published as Group 1 winning trainer Kerry Parker set to test new addition So Sleek at Warwick Farm
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