Latest News

It was just over one year ago Top Ravine was placed in Group 3 company in Melbourne and now finds himself racing in the Parkes Cup.

The top weight will have to produce his best despite the drop in grade to win Sunday’s feature race.

The former Victorian galloper will be having his third start this preparation for new trainer Matthew Dale who won the Parkes Cup last year with Itchyzariz.

Dale is still learning about Top Ravine who has finished fourth and ninth, beaten three and a half lengths both times, in two starts in Sydney.

Top Ravine, a well bred son of super sire Redoute’s Choice, will carry 61 kilograms with Brodie Loy in the saddle.

Dale said the step up to 1600 metres will benefit Top Ravine.

“He is ready for the mile and the rain that is predicted should help because he likes the sting out of the ground,” he said.

“He has got to lump a big weight for a Class 2 horse but he ran in some quality races and you have to expect that.”

Top Ravine is raced by the same owners who had the horse with Mick Price at Caulfield.

As a three-year-old, Top Ravine ran third in the Group 2 Autumn Classic at Caulfield and also won at Sandown and Sale.

Dale and Loy have a one in four winning strike-rate together with the Canberra trainer having one of the best training records in NSW.

Jockey Michael Travers will ride Miss Farloo who was a strong last start third at the Wagga Gold Cup Carnival.

Travers has finished second in the past two editions of the Parkes Cup.

Loy will be out to capture the feature race double as he will also ride speedy mare She Zar in the Satellite Hcp (1200m).

She Zar is a noted leader who has been freshened up since her last start second at Warwick Farm in April.

Ultima Chance ran a creditable ninth in the Wagga Town Plate last start and is back a lot in grade.

Heza Thief is a last stat winner with an overall strong race record but has drawn wide with his main dangers having the advantage at the start.

Rain is forecast in the lead-up to the meeting, but Sunday is expected to be fine for the eight race program.

View the fields and form for Parkes (including race replays) here.