Episode 353: Kerry Parker

Great to catch up with the popular Kembla Grange trainer who is enjoying a magical ride with Think It Over, the horse rated by many as Australia’s most improved galloper. He begins by heaping praise on Kembla Grange as a training centre, but doesn’t dismiss the possibility of a move to town if the right opportunity comes along. Kerry talks of Think It Over’s first win for the stable in a Cl 2 at Hawkesbury. The horse was unimpressive in winning and had to be spelled immediately. He reviews Think It Over’s second preparation in which he won a BM88 at Randwick and ran respectable races in strong grade. Kerry talks of the gelding’s quirky habits at that stage of his career. The trainer looks back on the first of Think It Over’s two Craven Plate wins and his tremendous run in The Gong on his hometrack. Kerry delights in looking at the gelding’s stunning winning sequence in the Autumn of 2021 highlighted by the Gr 1 George Ryder Stakes. He expresses his shock and disappointment when veterinary surgeons ordered the horse’s withdrawal from the Doncaster. He’d sustained the most minor of abrasions on the trip to Randwick. Kerry is still in disbelief a year on. The trainer then concentrated on the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in which Think It Over ran a cracking fourth in elite company. Kerry discusses his reasons for passing up the Sydney Carnival to run in the Australian Cup.   He talks of Think It Over’s first two runs back from a spell which includes an Apollo Stakes win. Kerry takes us back to early days when he learned about horses at his father’s Kangaroo Valley trail riding property. He reminisces about his days as a trackwork rider for several stables including one in Adelaide. The trainer looks back on a wonderful five year stint with master trainer Les Bridge who sent him to Melbourne with Drawn for a couple of important assignments. He’s never forgotten the trip. Kerry talks about his return to the South Coast and a job with David Vandyke. Not long after he applied for his own trainer’s licence. He acknowledges a few special horses who helped to get him up and running in his solo career. He makes special mention of his Queensland Derby winner Dark Dream. He was devastated when the horse was sold to Hong Kong.  Kerry talks of the bread and butter horses who’ve kept the stable ticking over.  He highlights a three year old filly for whom he’s predicting a bright future.