Trapeze Artist had his fourth stakes winner on Friday with progressive stayer, and bargain buy, Flying Bandit winning the Listed Wagga Wagga Gold Cup (2000m).
In a race of sustained speed, Flying Bandit enjoyed a lovely run midfield with Jay Ford presenting him wide into the straight and the Kerry Parker trained four year-old sustained a strong finish to beat Bianco Vilano (Foxwedge) by half a length with Matusalem (The Autumn Sun) third.
“It just worked out lovely for him, really, to get on his own and get into a nice rhythm and just always looked like he was going to be strong late,” said Parker.
“This preparation was about, all right, let's toughen him up now, you know. I've sort of kid gloved him and got him along. And now this prep's about, all right, let's see where you're at now, and we'll toughen you up and take some steps.
“He'd always promised a lot, but he was always slow to learn, let's put it that way. He's been a bit tricky along the way in getting his confidence up and doing the job.”
The win takes his record to six wins, two seconds and a third from 12 starts with earnings of $330,850.
Flying Bandit was a $20,000 bargain buy for Proven Thoroughbreds/Kerry Parker Racing from the Widden Stud draft at the MM Adelaide Yearling Sale.
He is the best of four to race for unraced Wanted mare Rogue Agent, a half-sister to stakes winners Torio’s Quest and Bippo No Bungus. His third dam is the VRC Oaks winner Sandy’s Pleasure.
Rogue Agent has been to Trapeze Artist all four times since Flying Bandit including last season.
Flying Bandit is one of 61 season winners for Trapeze Artist which sees him second on Third Season by Winners table and fourth by earnings with over $4.6million.
He will stand the 2025 season at Widden Stud at a fee of $33,000.
