Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Blythewood trainer-reinsman Michael Munro went into the $19,000 Sky Racing Listen Live Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night full of confidence even though Paroquet was awkwardly drawn out wide at barrier No. 8.
And after he had driven the six-year-old mare, a $59.30 outsider, to an upset victory over the $1.50 favourite Ideal Tomado, Munro declared: “Winning wasn’t a shock for me. Paroquet is at the top of her game, and I expected her to be too strong for them (the opposition) tonight. It was money for jam.”
Polemarker Ideal Tomado was smartest into stride and then ambled through the lead time in 37.8sec. and then covered the opening quarters in modest times of 32sec. and 30.6sec. before dashing over the final 400m sections in 28sec. and 28.5sec.
Munro was in an aggressive mood, and he followed Flying Rumour’s early three-wide move before getting to the breeze 450m after the start. Paroquet forged past Ideal Tomado 50m from the post and went on to beat the favourite by a neck, rating 1.58.5 over 2130m.
“From barrier eight I was just going to see how they came out, and I came across with them,” said Munro. “I then drove her like the best horse in the race. She put the pressure on and still had plenty left to kick home.
“Paroquet is at her top but can still go a bit better. Her run the previous Friday night was massive when she came from last at the bell to run third to Sovrana.”
Paroquet, bred and owned by Paula Petricevich, is by American sire Shadow Play and is the tenth and last foal out of the unraced Walton Hanover mare Smooth Moven.
Paroquet has improved steadily since she managed just two placings (thirds at Wagin and Narrogin) as a two and three-year-old. She has now raced 73 times for 13 wins, 15 placings and $133,054.
“I have always liked her breeding, being by Shadow Play, and Shadow Play’s usually don’t come good until they’re about four,” said Munro.