Joe Pride is a family man in more ways than one.
Although his wife and children will always come first, work-wise the trainer’s affections are with the progeny of Parfore.
Ball Of Muscle
The mare has produced three Group One winners so far, two of which – Tiger Tees and Terravista – are in the Pride stable.
He has high hopes her next Group One winner is also at Warwick Farm with Ball Of Muscle to tackle his first stakes race on Saturday in the Canterbury Classic (1200m).
The winner of six of his eight starts, Ball Of Muscle is by Dubawi as is 2013 Galaxy winner Tiger Tees while Darley Classic winner Terravista is by Captain Rio.
Parfore is also the mother of two-time Singapore champion Super Easy and dual Ipswich Cup winner Our Lukas.
“It’s an unbelievable family. They are just winners,” Pride said.
“Ball Of Muscle has come through his last start really well and is ready for the next step.”
The four-year-old is one of 16 entries for the Listed sprint which is part of Sydney’s Summer Series.
Our Boy Malachi won the first two legs, the Starlight Stakes and the Razor Sharp, but has gone for a spell with races like next year’s Stradbroke Handicap in mind.
Group One winning mare Driefontein is the Canterbury Classic topweight on 59kg with Dothraki, who has chased Our Boy Malachi home at his past two starts, on 58kg along with Heart Testa and Queensland speedster Adebisi.
Ball Of Muscle carries 54kg.
His brothers are both back in Pride’s stable to begin preparations for the autumn.
“The plan is still to run Terravista first-up in the Newmarket and then the TJ Smith in Sydney,” Pride said.
“The plan for Tiger Tees is to find wet tracks.”
Although Pride does not have any more of Parfore’s progeny, her extended family has a presence at the stable.
There is an as yet unnamed Darci Brahma filly out of Ininthree, a daughter of Parfore. Champagne Rein, out of Parfore’s sister Golden Sparkle, is scheduled to join the stable soon from New Zealand.
