Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker sees no reason why not to try his luck in town with lightly-raced filly Stratum Charge.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The three-year-old finished runner-up on debut at Nowra on New Year’s Eve and will have her second career start in the Pluck@Vinery Plate 3YO Maiden Plate (1250m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Parker has opted to bypass an event at Kembla Grange on Saturday in favour of a run in metropolitan grade.
“It’s a maiden with a small field so you just have to have a go,” Parker said.
“We might as well head in and try and earn a bit of prizemoney with her, but it is a big jump in grade going from that race at Nowra.
“She still has a bit to learn and that was the idea going to Nowra there, to try to get a win on the board straight away.
“All in all I am happy with her though. She is a nice filly.
“Hopefully she can do the job.”
Parker admitted he was still unsure of what level Stratum Charge was capable of competing, but said she’s always given him the right impression around the stable.
“She is beautiful,” Parker said. “She has got a lovely temperament.
“She is good as gold and tries to please you in all facets.
“She is only a light little filly that is still maturing, but we will find out if she is up to city class.”
Stratum Charge is a $14 TAB fixed odds outsider for her first visit to town and will be piloted by Jay Ford.
Meanwhile, Parker also has consistent stayer Red Dubawi engaged in the TAB Rewards Benchmark 79 Handicap (1900m).
The trainer was high in confidence that his seven-year-old would perform under the urging of jockey Tim Clark in the final event on the card.
“He is racing terrific,” Parker said.
“I thought he went super in Saturday grade [at his last race start] where they ran pretty good sectionals, which he can’t do.
“He put himself into the race and has good form at Canterbury over the 1900m.
“He is just a genuine race horse.”
Canterbury was rated in the soft range on Tuesday afternoon, with more rain expected in the evening before the race day. The opening event jumps at 2pm.