Jockey Brad Parnham has grabbed the race mount aboard Oscar’s Fortune after an impressive barrier trial and will replace injured champion hoop William Pike on him in a rich provincial sprint.
Parnham rode the bay when he ran a close second in Monday’s fifth Lark Hill heat, ahead of being confirmed as a $350,000 Bluff Knoll (1099m) slot race starter at Albany on March 10.
Red Can Man won the 950m trial from Oscar’s Fortune and Saloon Bar in a scorching 55.93sec.
Oscar’s Fortune, who last raced when a $1.5 million Winterbottom Stakes runner-up to Sydney sprinter Overpass at Ascot more than two months ago, has been ridden by Pike in all his six races.
But the star jockey fractured a heel at trackwork on January 20 and is not expected to resume race riding for at least another month.
“Oscar’s Fortune needed that trial,” Parnham said when dismounting on Monday. “He’ll improve a lot in the next week. I’ll ride him at Albany – that’s the plan.”
Trainer Dion Luciani said Oscar’s Fortune, who wore winkers to boost his concentration, on Monday, had puled up well.
“We came here because he required a trial at this stage,” Luciani said. “I couldn’t be happier with his progress and we’re going ahead to a Bluff Knoll start.”
Oscar’s Fortune is also a contender for Ascot’s $5 million The Nullarbor slot race on April 20 and Parnham is likely to be only warming the saddle ahead of a Pike’s imminent return.
“We don’t yet know when William will resume race riding,” Pike’s racing manager Dale Verhagen said on Monday. “But we’re confident he will be fit to take race mounts before Quokka day. He’ll consult a specialist in two weeks and new scans will be examined to check on the fracture’s healing.
“There doesn’t seem to be any complications and it’s now just a case of waiting.”
Red Can Man’s trainer Steve Wolfe said the $1.5 million stake-earner would be a Bluff Knoll starter.
“He’s at his best after a let-up,” Wolfe said. “I expect him to run a big race at Albany and attract Quokka slot holders. Red Can Man has matched topliners in Perth and Melbourne wins. I’ll also start Beads in the Bluff Knoll.”
Saloon Bar, another Bluff Knoll candidate, drew attention when running on strongly in his trial.
Albany Racing Club manager Mark Bayliss said Acromantula, Songkaa, Gemma’s Son, Laced Up Heels and Strathmore Rose had been declared for the Bluff Knoll by slot holders.