Kerry Parker is optimistic Horseta La Vista has a bright future ahead of him after a first-up win on Sunday.
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The four-year-old has endured a challenging career thus far, Parker taking over from John Sargent as trainer last year, before shin soreness further delayed his first start.
Horseta La Vista made up for lost time, however, producing an impressive run to take out a 1200 metre Showcase Maiden Handicap in Moruya.
Parker recognises he still has a long way to go, but he's confident the gelding can successfully step up to the provincial grade.
"The owner had to wait a long time, a four-year-old having his first start," Parker said. "He's quite a big horse, but he's still very raw and new.
"It was good he got the job done down there at Moruya, that other horse sitting outside him guided him around the track a bit. Hopefully he'll learn from that run and keep improving, I have a nice opinion of him."
Horseta La Vista's success came after a disappointing Friday night in Sydney for Parker.
Short-priced favourite Think It Over struggled in a benchmark 70 1550m race, the gelding pulling up sore with a hematoma on the nearside hind leg. The trainer is confident he will be back racing before long.
Parker will return to Sydney on Wednesday, a pair of his horses expected to race over 1100m on Randwick's Kensington track.
I Like Toucans will contest her second start, while Darlene could make her debut.
The filly has also been nominated to race in Canberra, with Parker still to decide where to run Darlene.
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