In pursuit of their inaugural victory, the esteemed North Canterbury couple, John and Karen Parsons, have formed a new training alliance with former South Canterbury trainer Vicky Ramhit.
Previously employed by the Parsons for five years and later partnering with Timaru trainer Bruce Tapper, Ramhit has an impressive track record, securing 30 victories, including notable triumphs in the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton and the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) with Specialty.
Although the trio debuted their collaboration at Riccarton last week, the real test comes at Timaru with six contenders at Phar Lap Raceway, aiming to clinch their first triumph together.
“Vicky had approached us, and we're at the stage now where we need someone to help us out, so it's worked out all right,” said Karen Parsons.
Highlighting the potential star of the show, Parsons expressed Ramhit's optimism for Final Savings, an eight-year-old Savabeel gelding.
“Vicky's been through our runners, and he's hoping Final Savings can be the one. He was always his favorite horse when he worked here before,” she added.
Final Savings, enters the race fresh for a new campaign, with Parsons confident in the horse's readiness.
“The horse is really forward. He's been working really well, and we're hoping he can run well,” Parsons remarked.
Despite Final Savings not having a history of winning in a fresh state, the Parsons are banking on their stables' 4kg-claiming apprentice Mahipal Singh to guide him to success.
The Parsons stable boasts additional contenders at Timaru, including Cheyenne Bodie, On File, My Degree, Colossal, and Henriqui. Two others, Watch Out and Amberecho, will showcase exhibition gallops ahead of their racing assignments at Ashburton the following weekend.
“I'd love to see My Degree win. One of his owners hasn't been very well, and we'd love to see her run well for him.” Reflecting on the legacy, she added, “We used to train the mother, and as John said, she wouldn't have even got warmed up before she got up to 1600m, so the extra distance should really help her.”
With optimism and careful preparation, the Parsons-Ramhit partnership looks forward to making a mark at the upcoming meeting, hoping to secure a notable win for their collaborative efforts.