Kerry Parker targets Kembla Grange double with unlikely pair

Seven-year-old gelding Virgilio will line up for his 59^th career start, the runner to contest a 1200-metres BenchMark 68 in the meeting's final race.

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With the track presently a soft (7), Parker was pleased to see the sun shining on Wednesday and the trainer is optimistic his charge can outmatch his younger rivals.

"Virgilio just keeps doing what he does," Parker said. "He was on that heavy (8) track last start that doesn't suit him. A drier surface here will play into his hands a bit better.

"He races well here at home, he comes into this race quite nice with two kilograms off his back with Tyler (Schiller) on board. It looks like a nice enough race for him to be competitive in."

Thursday's meeting will also see Bhutan contest his first start for the stable, the filly racing in a 1200m maiden plate.

The three-year-old is one of seven Proven Thoroughbreds syndicated horses to recently transfer to Kembla Grange, Parker stepping in after John Bateman retired in May.

The horses include a mix of emerging two and three-year-olds and hardened veterans, the trainer eager to have some success for the ownership group.

"It's good to be working with Proven Thoroughbreds, they've added a nice little spark of life and a new grade of horses to play with and try to get the best out of.

"There's a nice couple of two-year-olds who had a little prep here and went back out because they weren't ready to go to the races. There's also some nice three-year-olds among the group."

Bhutan is rated a $19 chance but Parker is keen to see the filly step out.

"Bhutan still has a bit to learn, she's still a bit new with things. Going off her first run there at Goulburn, she seemed to find the line nicely,'' Parker said.

"We've only had the one soft trial a month ago going into this race, we're all happy with the way she's progressed since then. She's ready to go to the races, she's drawn a tricky gate but she'll hold her own, race well and I'll learn more about her."

The first of eight races at Kembla Grange on Thursday jumps at midday.