It’s not often the powerhouse Godolphin team have a Magic Millions runner but their promising two-year-old colt Parkour ($2.50F) could fit that bill.
After a solid second on debut in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at Ballarat, the son of Extreme Choice put them to the sword with a dominant win over Vianarra ($13) by a length and a quarter at Royal Randwick. A brave Sacred Fort ($6) was a further short head back in third after a torrid run in transit sitting three-wide no cover the trip.
Having only purchased two yearlings at the previous Magic Millions sales, Parkour presents an opportunity for trainer James Cummings to have a rare runner in the rich two-year-old restricted race and he feels his charge has the right qualities to make his presence felt.
“There is a lot about this two-year-old that screams out that he is a genuine two-year-old contender,” Cummings said.
“But he needed to keep improving and that’s what he keeps doing, he keeps stepping up to the plate.
“He was nicely furnished, he looked fit today but there is a bit of improvement in him.
“He stepped out and got beaten three and a half lengths on debut, but he has won by a length going away and he is an interesting prospect.
“That will safely get him into the Magic Millions field if we choose to go that way.”
Rider Jamie Kah, who had previously rode Parkour in the Ballarat feature, was full of praise for the preparation that Cummings had put into the colt. She opted to settle last in the run and save him for one final sprint once they cornered.
“He’s not a 1000m squibbie sort of horse, he wants further and today I just made sure I popped out and gave him the whole straight,” Kah said.
“It’s like riding a five-year-old out there. I love riding Godolphin two-year-olds, because they are so well educated.
“I’ve always liked this horse, I’ve done a bit of work on him before Ballarat.
“He’s still doing it all on raw ability. It hasn’t really dropped of clicked yet with him so he’s an exciting horse.”
Today’s victory saw Parkour firm into $8 in fixed odds betting with the TAB for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in two week’s time.
