Less than a week after the death of Deanne Pinney, the mother of trainer Kerry Parker’s two children, Tampering has scored an emotional win for the stable at Randwick.
While Parker and Pinney were no longer together, she remained a crucial part of the business and the two horses who held a special place in her heart, Tampering and Winx Stakes runner Think It Over, were both contesting races on Saturday.
Tampering ($5 fav) stepped out first in the Midway Handicap (1600m) and after setting a solid tempo, he pulled out all stops to hang on and defeat Foxborough ($10) with Canyonero ($11) making good ground for third.
Parker has no doubt Tampering had a bit of help from above.
“When they looked like collaring him there a hundred out, I think Deanne might have given him a little push,” Parker said.
“I might have got a little bit of help from above.
“I know he’s tough but that was a really good win. A hundred out I thought they’d got him, but he just kept sticking his head out.”
The Midway races, open to eligible smaller-scale city and provincial trainers, were introduced in July and they have proven to be a great success, attracting strong entries and providing the smaller stables with a metropolitan opportunity on Saturdays.
Parker said the Midways were a perfect fit for a horse like Tampering.
“It suited a horse like him that just struggles a bit in town and needs things to go right,” he said.
Tampering was rated well in front by Brenton Avdulla, who made use of the horse’s high-cruising speed despite receiving early pressure for the lead.
The jockey was happy to get the job done and provide Parker with some good news at the end of a tough week.
“It just shows the character of Kerry, he’s turned up here today and done his job, run his business, but I’m feeling for him and the family,” Avdulla said.
“I definitely had someone riding with me today.”
