A daring ride by Tim Clark on Lackeen almost landed the Godolphin import his first Australian win before brother-in-law and fellow jockey Josh Parr arrived on the scene aboard Steely to spoil the party.
Clark dictated from the front aboard Lackeen in Saturday’s Elite Sand & Soil Handicap (1800m) and upped the tempo coming to the corner to pinch a break on his rivals.
It fleetingly looked to be a winning move until Parr on Steely set out after the leader, wearing him down and racing clear over the final stages to score by 1-1/4 lengths.
Wicklow, who had been unbeaten in three previous Australian starts, got a long way out of his ground and made late headway for third, another long neck away.
“I must say, I thought Timmy had pinched it when he took off there before the corner,” Parr said.
“I was a little bit nervous….but thankfully we got out after him and got the cash.”
Parr’s only other ride on Steely yielded a 1500m victory at Hawkesbury in May and he subsequently advised connections he felt the horse would get a longer journey.
Steely couldn’t get the job done when stepped up to 1800m at his next start but with a couple more runs under his belt, he rose to the challenge on Saturday.
“He’s a good, honest horse who tries hard and it was probably our fault for going to 1800 a bit too quick three starts ago,” co-trainer Gerald Ryan said.
“Josh rides him well and he’s had two goes on him now for two wins, so he knows him.”
Steely provided the middle leg of a treble for Parr, who also scored aboard the Bjorn Baker-trained Spencer and in-form filly Expat for Mark Newnham.
In a good afternoon at the office, Parr added seconds on Canasta and Just Field and a third on O’Mudgee, crediting new manager and former jockey Tye Angland with providing him with an outstanding book of mounts.
“I’m really pleased to get a treble here today. Tye Angland is doing a fantastic job,” Parr said.
Clark, Tommy Berry and Kerrin Mcevoy all rode doubles while Chris Waller produced three of the 10 winners with Tycoonist, Oscar Zulu and Papal Warrior all successful.
