Thanks to the deeds of Think It Over, the Everest meeting has been a happy hunting ground for trainer Kerry Parker and while his stable star won’t be there to fly the flag this year, he has two capable understudies.
The winner of the past two renewals of the Craven Plate on the Everest day program, Think It Over has been sidelined for the spring by a tendon injury
In his absence, Parker will rely on gallant gelding Tampering and improving mare Hope In Your Heart to make their presence felt.
“We’re without our flag carrier, without Think It Over, but it’s good to still be playing in the carnival,” Parker said.
Hope In Your Heart was due to contest the Angst Stakes (1600m) last weekend but as one of four washed-out races, the Group 3 feature has been added to Saturday’s Randwick program.
Parker is happy to see the race pushed back given the rapid deterioration of the track last week, although the mare hasn’t fared as well in the redraw, coming up with gate 12.
“That was a bit of a killer, I had a lovely little barrier in seven last time,” Parker said.
“The extra week hasn’t been too bad. I was glad they called them off actually, the way it was playing last week, we had no hope getting back in the field as it was leader bias.
“She’s going great guns. I’ve just tried to place her really well this prep and keep her in mares’ grade.
“This is a nice target for her, the 1600 suits her well, we just need the track to be racing fair to give her a chance.”
If Hope In Your Heart can run into the placings, it should be enough to boost her rating and secure her spot in the field for the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in two weeks.
Tampering also has bigger fish to fry but will need a top-two finish in the Big Dance Wild Card (1600m) to qualify for the new, $2 million race at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.
With three runs under his belt, the latest a runner-up finish in the Bathurst Cup lumping 63kg, he should be nearing his peak, and his attitude at home suggests as much.
“He is just getting new shoes on now and giving the farrier a bit of curry,” Parker said.
“He usually does that when he’s pretty ready.”
