By Ray Hickson
Josh Parr says there’s not much margin for error when he rides Supply And Demand with 61kg at Randwick on Saturday but is counting on his versatility to gain the day.
The five-year-old hasn’t carried more than 58.5kg to victory in his career to date but has been placed in four of his five starts with 60kg or more.
Supply And Demand will be conceding between 3.5kg and 10kg to every other runner in the Maroubra Mile (1600m) and Parr said that’s his biggest hurdle.
“He’s not a big horse, most people are surprised when they see him in the flesh how short he is,’’ Parr said.
“He’s done a good job to carry the weight he has in the past and he’ll have to put his best foot forward to carry that weight on Saturday.’’
Supply And Demand had his Perth trip aborted after having a torrid run when failing to beat a runner home in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot in November.
He resurfaced a month later at Warwick Farm and finished a close third behind Nancy with 61kg over the 1400m in an effort Parr found encouraging.
“He was coming off a disappointment in Perth so I wasn’t sure how to assess him going into the race,’’ he said.
“I made up my mind just before the race I’d ride him like it hadn’t happened and I was just riding one of Gai and Adrian’s like I normally would.
“And as it turned out he was in fine order and raced really well and it was a good effort to get him back to perform like that.’’
The gelding was rated a $4.40 chance behind Dreamforce by TAB in the Maroubra Mile, a race that is set to be an intriguing tactical battle.
Parr has long been adamant Supply And Demand can be effective from anywhere but is just as certain about how he’s best ridden.
“The beauty of riding this horse is his versatility is remarkable, you can bang him out of the barrier and take up a forward position and know he will come back to you after 200m,’’ he said.
“You can ride him quiet and know he has a turn of foot at the back end to run off a hot speed.
“I do think when he can control a race, with nice clean air and free running, he’s definitely a better horse.’’
Supply And Demand's game third at Warwick Farm - December 23
Two rides on enigmatic stayer Lead Choreographer has Parr confident he’s worked out the best way to ride the import but he’ll still go into the TAB Handicap (2400m) with the fingers crossed.
The pair were narrowly beaten at Rosehill a month ago before finishing midfield behind Paragon at Warwick Farm on December 23.
“He’s a little bit tricky to ride, he can go quite keenly if you don’t find cover early,’’ he said.
“It’s paramount that you find cover because it gives him a chance to finish off. He’s a little cunning in a finish so you have to get him to hit the lead as late as possible.
“I thought I’d done it two starts ago at Rosehill.’’
Lead Choreographer is one of three Chris Waller-trained runners in the staying event and is a $6.50 chance with TAB.
All the fields, form and replays for Satrurday's meeting at Royal Randwick