Travelling trainer reaps rewards

Press, 17 May 1989, Page 39

Travelling trainer reaps rewards

By

DAVID McCARTHY

The Balcairn trainer, John Parsons, has not been afraid to travel in his bid to extend his stable’s success this season.

Parsons’ produced Royal Approval and Another Day to win at Wingatui on Monday, the second time the two horses have won on the same day on the track this season.

They both won at the February meeting there and, as on Monday, were ridden by Shane McCann giving him 22 wins for the season.

Parsons’ tally stands at 29 and he is aiming at cracking his previous best total for a season, 37 wins in the 1984-85 season when only Rex Cochrane (44) scored more among southern trainers. Parsons’ total for each of the last two seasons has been 29 so he seems on target to have his best season.

But there is a price to pay. Parsons’ horses have raced at Riverton and Riccarton at Easter then the Marlborough and Nelson meetings, Wingatui on Anzac Day and the Winton, Southland and Hororata meetings leading up to the Otago Hunt Club’s meeting.

It would be small wonder, however, if the Parsons’ float quickened its tempo any time it neared Wingatui. Since the days of the good mare Rosearna, in the mid 19705, Parsons has won nearly 50 races at that track, his best season being 1984-85 when the stable won eight. Graikos, which just failed to win his first steeplechase at Monday’s meeting, has won five races on the course while Sparkling Eyes, Good Way, McLean Share Offer, Rosearna, Rakau Reefton and Miss March are among those to have won

more than once on the track before this season. Royal Approval kept up one unusual aspect to her record on Monday in that while he has won five of eleven starts he has yet to pay a place dividend. “He’s a funny horse. When he’s good he’s very good but then there are other days,” said Parsons. Royal Approval cleared maidens at Banks Peninsula in October then won at Reefton before her dual successes at Wingatui. .Another Day, owned by Parsons, has improved markedly since graduating from maiden classes and looks above average as a middle-distance prospect. McCann rated her well in front on Monday and she won easily. Parsons is sure to be back at Wingatui at the Queen’s Birthday meeting and judging by the success he has had there so far his stable looks one to follow at the meeting.