Unbeaten filly Without Parallel has an opportunity to put herself in the shop window for the $2 million The Kosciuszko when she makes her Sydney debut at the opening city meeting of the new racing term.
Trainer Matt Dunn has followed a tried and tested formula with the rising four-year-old, letting her first prove herself in Saturday metropolitan grade in Brisbane before bringing her south for the Highway Handicap (1200m).
It is a template he uses regularly and successfully and Dunn believes Without Parallel is showing all the hallmarks of a horse capable of measuring up to Highway company and beyond.
“Younger horses have got to be competitive at Saturday level (in Queensland),” Dunn said.
“Older horses, not so much. They can get away with a midweek race in Brisbane but younger, inexperienced horses need to show they can be competitive or win at Saturday level, which she has clearly done.
“She fits the mould really well.”
After winning her first two starts in the NSW Northern Rivers region, Without Parallel was spelled and given a chance to develop and grow.
She returned with the city test at Eagle Farm where she posted an encouraging all-the-way victory, earning herself a shot at Saturday’s Rosehill assignment.
While the expected heavy track will be unchartered territory, Dunn is optimistic Without Parallel has the right racing pattern and galloping action to handle it and put herself in the frame for a Kosciuszko berth in the process.
“We’re getting pretty close to the Kosciuszko and she’s a speed horse that gets a good 1200 so that’s part of the reasoning why she’s in Sydney this week,” Dunn said.
“There are other options but we decided to send her down there and give her a crack at Highway class and see what she can do.
“She’s not that big but she’s a tough little thing. She did a bit of work first-up in a decent race in Brisbane and stuck on really well.”
Dunn also has Kosciuszko aspirations for emerging filly Vivika, who was runner-up to subsequent stakes performer Sunrays on debut at Doomben in February.
Vivika will be striving to make it two wins from as many starts this campaign when she steps out at Eagle Farm on Saturday where a bold run will earn her a trip south.
“She’s a sharp filly,” Dunn said.
“She won first-up at Grafton over the carnival and she will run in Brisbane on Saturday. I think she is a decent sprinter so hopefully she will be the next one down there.”
Dunn also confirmed import Sea King was progressing well in his rehabilitation from a tendon injury and remained on track to return for a late summer campaign.
