He knows he is only warming the saddle but Josh Parr is excited to be aboard Group One performer Avoid Lightning in the June Stakes.
The mare’s regular rider Tim Clark, Parr’s brother-in-law, will be part of the feature Brisbane meeting on Saturday.
Avoid Lightning
Trainer Les Bridge has elected not to run Avoid Lightning at Doomben, opting to race her at Randwick where she will get her preferred soft surface as she defends the 1100m-Listed race.
Last year, Avoid Lightning followed her June Stakes win with a close third in the Group One Tattersall’s Tiara behind Cosmic Endeavour and Angel Of Mercy.
The Group One race for fillies and mares at the Gold Coast on June 20 will again be a target.
The mare has returned to Sydney following her eighth in the Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide where she finished less than two lengths from the winner Miracles Of Life.
“I’m lucky to pick up a ride on such a quality mare,” Parr said.
“I know it’s a one-off. She is Timmy’s ride but he will be in Queensland and I’m excited to ride her.
“It was great news to get and I hope it rains all week.”
Avoid Lightning heads the 26 entries for the sprint and will carry top weight of 60kg.
Joe Pride will send out three runners – Diamond Oasis, See The World and Target In Sight.
Pride will also be looking for his first metropolitan two-year-old winner with Yaboroo entered for the 1100m Plate.
The trainer runs few youngsters until the back end of the season with Yaboroo an encouraging second on debut at Gosford last week.
The 12 entries for the two-year-old race include last-start Randwick winner Coys from the Marc Conners stable and Holler from Godolphin.
A Randwick winner in January, Holler was among the early fancies for the Golden Slipper but was ruled out of the autumn carnival when he missed work because of a temperature in the lead-up to the Silver Slipper.
