Australia: Big Parade's barrier trial win shows he's ready for Missile Stakes

Logically, Big Parade seems like a poor bet in the Group 2 Missile Stakes at six furlongs at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney, Australia on Friday evening.

Big Parade, the 8-5 favorite in early betting on Thursday, has not raced since a third by slightly less than two lengths in a Group 3 sprint stakes in April 2022. Big Parade is part of a solid field of 11 in the $196,200 Missile Stakes, the first graded stakes at Sydney tracks since the new season Australian began on Tuesday.

Big Parade’s reputation carries him to the fore of the field. He was a short head away from winning the Group 1 Galaxy Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs in his second-to-last start of 2022, and finished first of six in a schooling race from the gate, or barrier trial, by a remarkable 21 lengths at 4 1/2 furlongs at Warwick Farm Racecourse on July 24.

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The Missile Stakes will be Big Parade’s first start for trainer Joseph Pride. Previous trainer Mark Newnham has dispersed his stable in recent months in advance of a move to Hong Kong later this year.

The jockey situation is unchanged. Big Parade will be ridden by Joshua Parr, who has been aboard the 7-year-old gelding for his last five starts as well as the recent schooling race. Parr is likely to have Big Parade in a stalking position from post 4.

The 5-year-old mare I Am Me will be prominent early from post 1. A winner of 7 of 13 starts, I Am Me was seventh of 16 in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at 5 1/2 furlongs at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne in Australia in her most recent start in February.

The loss ended a four-race winning streak that included a minor stakes win at six furlongs at Canterbury Racecourse on Jan. 1.

The recent layoff may not hurt I Am Me, who has won twice in her career after rests.

Rosehill Gardens has a 10-race program beginning at 9:30 p.m. Eastern or 6:30 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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