Winning takes away the worries

Passionate Parwan harness racing trainer Paul Parsons is a bit busier than normal these days, but you won’t hear any complaints that’s for sure.

Parsons is not only looking after his own stable of five but is also the caretaker of horses owned by his good friend in fellow trainer Jaime Madruga, including last-start Melton winner, No Win No Worries (A Rocknroll Dance).

“Jaime is away on holidays back in his home country of Portugal—he’s been over there for a fortnight visiting some aunts and uncles I think and won’t be back until the middle of next month,” Parsons said.

“He had three in work, including two youngsters that have just been broken in, and two broodmares that he bought just recently. I was also working No Win No Worries, but after her recent victory (Melton Aug 3), Jaime decided to toss her out for a break,” he said.

The four-year-old mare scored a 1.58-2 win after being driven a treat by former NSW reinswoman Ellen Rixon, who is now based in Victoria.

“Jaime was pretty excited by the win. He still touches base often and had access to the replay.  He was very happy with the way things went,” Parsons said.

“We’ve been using Ellen for a while now. I went to the Bacchus Marsh trials one day and didn’t have a driver. Someone suggested I use Ellen and that’s how we got to know her,” he said.

“She does her form and the horses run for her. I’ve got a lot of confidence in her and plan to use her at every opportunity.”

Parsons said a change of tactics, with the aim of looking for cover, paid off.

“Ellen launched out, but she was challenged then grabbed hold and we got some respite. The horse doesn’t like going up the sprint lane and Ellen had her hands full for a bit—we just got there in the end,” he said.

“Her two runs before the win gave us signs that she was back on the right track. We’d had some issues, the main one being she was tying up after we had to switch feeds, but we’ve sorted that out now.”

Parsons has been working his horses out of the Madruga stable for the past three or four years.

“I started out in harness racing over 30 years ago with Robert Cachia who had some smart ones, including Sir Crockett (Crockett),” he said.

“I’ve drifted in and out a bit over the years but I’m thoroughly enjoying it here with Jaime. It’s a good set up.”

Despite his recent training success, it would be a fair bet to say Parsons’ main focus for the time being is likely to be his ownership interest, Ludacrous (Art Major).

He owns the filly in conjunction with seven others, and she will be lining up at TABcorp Park Menangle on Saturday week (Aug 27) in the $175,000 Nutrien 2yo Fillies Final.

The Kate Hargreaves-trained youngster ran second to Scheming (Huntsville) earlier this week in the Prelude.

“I went to the sales and Ludacrous was the only one I wanted. I made one bid, but it went higher than I was prepared to go. Later on, when shares were offered in the horse I jumped at the chance,” Parsons said.

“She’s a promising type and has had two starts for two placings so fingers crossed we go okay in the big final.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink