Kerry Parker’s rising star FLYING BANDIT graduated to stakes company with a minimum of fuss at Wagga on Friday, taking out the $200,000 Listed Gold Cup (2000m).
With a benchmark rating of 79, FLYING BANDIT faced a significant class rise against more seasoned gallopers but that didn’t deter bookmakers and punters alike, as he started the $4.60 favourite.
The 4yo son of TRAPEZE ARTIST was also facing a six-day turn around from his 4th placing at Randwick last Saturday so there were plenty of unanswered questions heading into the country feature.
However, with regular rider Jay Ford aboard, FLYING BANDIT was afforded the sweetest run from barrier three, travelling on his lonesome midfield in a fast run contest.
The pair moved up ominously rounding the home turn and save for a brief challenge to his outside from BIANCO VILANO, FLYING BANDIT was relatively untroubled in the run to the line, winning by more than half a length.
FLYING BANDIT wins the Wagga Cup!
Jay Ford and @kjparkerracing combine to win the Big Dance 💃 eligible @mtcwagga feature with a promising four-year-old, holding off Bianco Vilano with Matusalem in third. @tabcomau @ProvenTbreds pic.twitter.com/Wu7xwTKuI1
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) May 2, 2025
“That was amazing. He jumped better than ever, and he travelled better than ever. I actually could have ridden him closer, but the tempo of the race was genuine,” an elated Ford said.
“Because the race was run so strongly, we were in our own world. I didn’t have a horse around me and had a nice tag into the race.
“Once I gave him clear air he chimed in nicely and was strong when challenged.
“I love the horse – he just keeps improving.”
The race time of 2 minutes neat was just 0.19 seconds outside the record held by 1999 Gold Cup winner GOODWOOD.
Trainer Kerry Parker had never had a Wagga Gold Cup starter, let alone winner, before FLYING BANDIT and is understandably excited about the gelding’s future which, at least in the short term, is likely to take in a Queensland winter carnival campaign.
Now a six-time winner of $330,850 in prizemoney from just a dozen starts, FLYING BANDIT has obliterated his initial purchase price – a mere $20,000 from Widden Stud’s draft at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
Proven Thoroughbreds’ latest stakes scalp elevates our seasonal winners tally to 43.
Proven currently has ownership opportunities available in another TRAPEZE ARTIST with Kerry Parker – the TRAPEZE ARTIST x LANU MOANA filly from the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Photo by Courtney Rees