WHEN Park Life arrived at the stables of Queensland trainer Wayne Graham, the veteran horseman was just hoping to get the daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven to the racetrack. Park Life was one of three fillies Graham had in work and was the slowest of the trio.
The thought of contesting the Australian Pacing Gold hadn’t entered Graham’s mind but he nominated her for the Group 3 Paleface Adios Classic and despite being the stable’s second elect, finished third behind Maestro Bellini.
“I didn’t think much of her when we first got her and to this day she’s a different horse off the track,” Graham said.
“We’ve got three fillies at home and she’s eight to ten seconds slower than them on her trackwork but when she gets to the races it’s like she is a totally different horse.”
Even after winning her third start in a mile rate of 1:55.7 at Albion Park, Graham was still unsure whether Park Life would measure up to the APG in Sydney.
“I didn’t even know when we left Queensland whether she had a 27 second quarter in her. Her first win was very good but she did no work early and came with a late run.
“While I knew she’d be competitive I wasn’t sure whether we were a realistic chance in the APG.”
Graham stayed with John and Narelle McCarthy in Sydney and worked the filly at the property of Luke and Belinda McCarthy and was still unsure he had made the right decision to head south.
“I asked Luke what a two year old should work and he gave me an indication and we worked for the first time. Lyn (Graham’s wife) drove her and told me she felt good but then I looked down at my stopwatch and thought what am I doing here, I should just pack up and go home.”
Park Life performed well in her semi final finishing second behind Petacular and went one better in Saturday’s $322,000 final and stopped the clock in 1:53.2.
“That was the biggest shock, I never thought she would go within coo-ee of that time, I am so proud of her and now we can take her home and get ready for the Breeders and the Triad.
“Jossie Jones won the APG race at Albion Park on Saturday night. She was meant to compete in the Brisbane heat won by Park Life but she had a hissy fit going onto the track and had to be scratched. I could have had both of them here in Sydney in hindsight but it was great to get the victory.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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