Kalamunda looks to enhance his perfect record on the all-weather in the mile BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap the class two highlight at Southwell today.
The Southwell first is off at 18h15.
The four-year-old has won all five starts on artificial surfaces for Joseph Parr, most recently coming from last to first in a mile handicap at Kempton Park on October 2.
Kalamunda winning at Southwell on September 3 (Pic – Tony Knapton)
Kalamunda has produced two dominant performances over the course and distance at Southwell, including taking a handicap by over four lengths in October last year.
Parr said: “Kalamunda is in great nick. He has had a bit of time since his last run at Kempton and seems in really good condition.
“He is up to a mark of 86 now in a much better race. You could say that he looks up against it, but I hope he can take it in his stride. I would have preferred a few more runners than the six, as that would probably give him more pace to aim at. If he settles and they go a nice gallop, he will be there or thereabouts.
“I would like to think that we have not got to the bottom of him yet. He is a lovely big horse, who has done nothing but improve on the all-weather. Provided the race sets up for him, I am sure he can compete at a higher grade.
“He definitely has more of a liking for the all-weather surfaces and we will keep him on the go during the winter. He will not run every week, we will pick and choose his races, and hopefully he will be up to contesting some of those bigger races during the All-Weather Championships.”
Sardinian Warrior heads the opposition for John & Thady Gosden as he looks to make it three wins from as many starts at the track, having taken a pair of novice races impressively.
Sean Wood’s Savvy Victory heads the weights with a mark of 103. The five-year-old, who captured the Listed Gala Stakes at Sandown Park last year, drops back to a mile for the first time since his juvenile campaign.
Storm Star has been performing consistently for Andrew Balding, with third-place finishes in a Racing League handicap and at Doncaster’s St Leger Festival on his last two starts.
Padishakh had some classy form in France, including finishing second to Big Rock in the G3 Prix La Force and seventh in the Gr1 Prix du Jockey Club. The four-year-old has yet to reach those heights for David O’Meara, most recently finishing ninth in Ascot’s Balmoral Handicap.
Silver Sword lines up for Dylan Cunha after going down by a neck to Whitcombe Rockstar in a Kempton Park handicap earlier this month, with the winner now set to step into Listed company.
Southwell’s evening fixture also sees the return of Jubilee Walk in the Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Handicap ver six furlongs.
Trained by James Ferguson, Jubilee Walk was last seen out finishing 11th in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap at Royal Ascot, for which he was sent off favourite.
A competitive field also includes 2022 Gr2 Temple Stakes victor King’s Lynn (Andrew Balding) and Juan Les Pins (Mick Appleby), who was runner-up in the Listed Hever Sprint at the track in February.
