Promising country sprinter Without Parallel confirmed herself as a serious contender for the $2 million The Kosciuszko with a dominant Highway Handicap victory at Rosehill on Saturday. Relishing the heavy conditions, the progressive mare surged clear of her rivals to record an emphatic 4-3/4 length win.
Trainer Matt Dunn, who had flagged earlier in the week that the Sydney trip was a chance to showcase Without Parallel for a potential Kosciuszko slot, was left with little doubt after the stunning performance. Sent out a $2.45 betting favourite, she swept up to the leader on the home turn before powering away to defeat Via Vegas ($18), with Cougars ($8) a further half-head away in third.
“I think we’ve got to start thinking seriously about the Kosciuszko now,” Dunn said. “Horses can make the jump from Highway races to The Kosciuszko, but they have to win like that. I did something similar with Derry Grove – he won two Highways before running in The Kosciuszko. She’s a bit like him – it took time for her to click, but now she’s really finding her groove.”
The victory extended Without Parallel’s unbeaten record to four, having won twice in the NSW Northern Rivers region in her first preparation before resuming with back-to-back wins at Eagle Farm and now Rosehill. Dunn admitted his only concern heading into the race was whether she would handle the heavy 10 surface, as she had not previously raced on ground worse than a soft 6.
“The big question for me was how she’d handle the heavy track, and she’s answered that,” Dunn said. “She’s got the right shape for it – she’s nimble, athletic, and a natural speed horse. On a dry track I expected her to put them away, but she’s shown she can do it on wet ground too.”
Without Parallel has now firmed to $26 for the The Kosciuszko (1200m), which will be run at Randwick on October 18 as part of The Everest carnival.