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An Everest slot may appear out of reach for Mark Newnham’s emerging sprinter Big Parade but the trainer is eyeing some of the riches surrounding the $15m feature this spring.
To that end he's keen to give the five-year-old a class and distance test in the Group 2 $200,000 Chandon Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Kembla Grange and if he passes it will give Newnham the confidence to charge towards two $1m races.
They are the Classique Legend Stakes (1300m) on Golden Eagle Day and The Hunter (1300m) at Newcastle in November.
"There are a couple of good 1300m options and that's the one of the reasons I'm testing him at a little bit further,'' Newnham said.
"He'll be running in the Sydney Stakes (Everest consolation) unless someone comes along with an Everest offer.
"Sometimes horses drop away or lose form, if he's Johnny on the spot in good form and happens to win on Saturday he has a hope of getting a slot."
Big Parade was $3.10 favourite with TAB in the Theo Marks, he's not currently listed in the Everest market, on Thursday on the back of a devastating sprinting display first-up at Kembla a month ago.
His sprinting powers were on full display in that 1200m event on August 14 as he lumped 61kg and ran a track record, which was broken an hour later, including the race's fastest last 200m of 10.90 (Punter's Intelligence).
It was a sign to Newnham that Big Parade is putting it all together and he's given the horse the time to be confident he can step up to the plate in tougher company.
Tim Clark, who won on the gelding in late 2019 at his only ride prior to his recent trial, rides at just 53.5kg.
"I'll be disappointed if he doesn't run top three,'' Newnham said.
"He's always had plenty of talent, that wasn't in question, but he's more settled in his work and quicker out of the gates. The little things that were bringing him undone in other races he's not showing.
"He has a light weight, he's had a month to get over it and sometimes horses with a big peak performance first-up can take a backward step second-up but that's generally if they run too soon after.
"He's had a nice break and a tickover trial. His work has been good so I expect him to run very well."
In the Everest's inaugural year the Theo Marks winner Deploy earned a slot after an impressive win.
While a quick deck at Kembla would be ideal for Big Parade, Newnham said it probably won't suit speedy mare Every Rose in the Group 2 $200,000 Coolmore Sheraco Stakes (1200m).
The four-year-old was never in the hunt in the Toy Show first-up, unable to get near the speed after drawing wide, so Newnham can only be hopeful she can improve despite unsuitable conditions.
"She probably didn't perform as well as I would have hoped first-up because her form is on softer ground and getting control of the race,'' he said.
"When she gets amongst the ruck she doesn't seem to do her best, or when she gets on firm ground.
"I think she didn't appreciate the ground the other day and didn't show enough gate speed due to that. That may be the case on Saturday but she's a bit pigeonholed on where she can go these days."
