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By Tony Megahey

Family and friends in ownerships, as well as trainers who are entitled to be closest to the action, remain distanced, but Coffs Harbour trainer Brett Dodson put it in perspective with TAB Highway TAB's $3.60 favourite Parksville at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

“It’s TV for myself son Kurt and other owners but it has to be done; we’re grateful Racing NSW has kept the industry going, people are so much worse off - I ride work on the beach,” offered the astute former jockey who is upbeat on the prospects for the three-race winning bargain into a TAB $100,000 Class 3, 1200m with 59.5kg for Josh Parr.

Coffs Harbour-based trainer Brett Dodson. Image by Bradley Photographers

By Vancouver, the 2015 Golden Slipper winner, the four-year-old is named after Parksville city on Canada’s Vancouver Island.

The gelding has had just a trial and one run in town in higher grade from a six-month spell.

“He’ll be staying overnight on track at Mark Newnham’s which is ideal as he’ll be fresh after a long trip.

“He’s Coolmore-bred, originally with Hawkes, moved on, we’ve been lucky enough to buy him at the right price.”

Parksville has displayed admirable speed to win twice at Coffs and again at Ballina, amidst a long spell.

“His last run was terrific up in grade into a BM 72 (Kensington Track), he’s improved, and we’re told the winner Nags to Riches is very smart.

“City benchmark has always been the strongest form for these Highways. We raced out of his grade to try and build some benchmark credentials, hopefully for The Kosciuszko.

“We realise we’ve got a long way to go, but at his rate of improvement, who knows how far he can take it. He’s three from five and so genuine so you don’t die wondering.”

While Parksville has topweight, he has vital factors in his favour. Two impressive last start Highway winners Mr Hussill ($6) and Ten Bells ($16) have drawn outside gates.

“We’re drawn the middle, but he’s led to win at ‘1000’ so you’d think we’d have a break on them at ‘1200.’ But a big field, the chances don’t end there.”

In a race where there’s likely to be more scratchings than the early withdrawal of topweight Rari, Parksville marginally heads a wide betting market from Molly Nails ($4), Crockett stablemates Mr Hussill and Commando Hunt ($16) then out to Ten Bells.

But with wide barriers a major concern, the race complexion could change considerably before Saturday. At present headquarters remains a Soft 5 in overcast conditions.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Royal Randwick here