3 minute read

Big Parade has resumed with an emphatic frontrunning victory at Kembla Grange.

Trainer Mark Newnham believes a more mature Big Parade can make his mark in stakes company this campaign after the horse returned with a dominant display at Kembla. 

The five-year-old has always shown talent but has at times has been his own worst enemy by wanting to over-race. 

Connections opted to geld him last spring and the horse is starting to show the benefits of that decision. 

"This time around he is a much-improved horse, mentally and physically," Newnham said. 

"Last preparation we gelded him mid-prep and kept going with him and it probably just lightened him off a touch. 

"But I think now as a more mature horse, he's come here a bigger, stronger version and he's a lot stronger mentally as well. 

"Once he got control of the race today, I was pretty confident." 

Big Parade assumed his customary front-running role after Josh Parr persisted for the lead despite an early challenge from Mamaragan. 

The $3 favourite got himself into a good rhythm and skipped clear on straightening to score by 3-1/4 lengths over Animate ($26) with Zakat ($5.50) a further half-length in arrears. 

Newnham has earmarked the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) on The Everest undercard and The Hunter (1300m) on November 13 as possible targets. 

"I think he could graduate towards maybe the Sydney Stakes and later on The Hunter," Newnham said. 

"With the high-cruising speed that he has, there will be plenty of races suitable for him." 

All Time Legend was well-fancied but after settling back in the field, ran on only fairly to finish fifth in a performance jockey Kerrin Mcevoy felt was a touch disappointing. 

"He's run a respectable race but I was still a tad disappointed with his last 100," McEvoy said.