By Duane Ranger (Courtesy of the Goulburn Harness Racing Club)
Murrumbateman horseman-come-painter, Corey Parker, is delighted with his most successful training season yet, but was quick to deflect the praise to his younger sister Kylie; his father, Kim; and his family’s loyal band of owners.
“We run a family operation on our 40-acre farm here at Murrumbateman, and things have fallen into place this year. I’ve been able to put more time into our horses since Dad retired last December, and I’ve also got more time for the horses now that I’ve got five employees working for me at my painting business (Parker Painting and Decorating).
“Kylie has also been a blessing. She breaks in most of our horses, including our winner on Monday (November 25). The filly is the first horse she has owned as well and is really attached to her, so it’s big ups to her,” Parker said.
The 42-year-old Canberra-born father of one, nailed his 17th career win when 3-year-old For A Reason bay filly, Bonjorge, notched up her second triumph in race four at Goulburn Paceway – the $10,000 Goulburn Hay Supplies Up-To-NR 45 Pace.
Bonjorge was named after his 3-year-old daughter, Bonnie, and Kylie’s daughter, Jorja. It was also Parker’s 108th career victory ($730,126) since he took out his trainer’s licence in the 1998-1999 season. His previous best year was in 2011-2012 when his white, yellow star, and dark blue sleeved-silks notched up 15 victories.
Bonjorge (6), who was driven in the ‘one-one’ throughout by Brad Hewitt, is owned by Parker and his wife, Danielle; his sisters, Kylie Edwards and Emma Parker; his brother Michael; and brother-in-law, Mark Edwards. She was bred by Wayne and Anne Lamb, of Golden Gait Stud in Canowindra (New South Wales).
Bonjorge is the last of six foals out of the late 13-win ($61,052) 2005 P B Bulville, mare Get Happy, who mostly raced in Queensland. Foal one – the 2012 daughter of Mach Three, Get In The Groove, won 16 races ($242,536), including the Group One 3yo Qbred Triad, and Group Two Qbred 2yo Fillies Final.
She also placed in the Group One Alabar 2yo Fillies Final at Tabcorp Melton in 2016, and the Queensland Oaks a year later at Albion Park.
Get In The Groove’s quickest mile-rate was 1:54.7, while her little half-sister, Bonjorge, recorded her fastest mile-rate on Monday when stopping the clock in 1:56.3 for the 1,710m mobile. That was 2.2 seconds quicker than her debut win at Bathurst on Boxing Day last year.
“She’s a quality pacer who has nice speed, but has taken a while to get stronger. She struggles to put two fast sectionals together, but after Monday’s win I’ve noticed she is starting to get tougher. Brad drove her very well and when she was asked to sprint in the straight she obliged, winning by three metres.
“We bought her at the Bathurst sales for $12,000, and she’s now won just over $24,000 from her first 15 starts. I think she can win more with race experience and toughness, but Dad and I will tell you that if we thought we could make big money from horses we would never have got a trade.
“Up until December last year Dad was a butcher for 35 years, and I’ve been a painter and decorator since leaving Yass High School. I’ve now got staff working for me, which frees up more time to work our 10 standardbreds.
“Dad and I did own a Group One pacer though, His name was Itaintover, who won the New South Wales Sires Stakes Final on June 14, 2009. He was trained by Neil day at Goulburn. I think that was the year Menangle first opened,” Parker said.
Parker trained the Listed Classic Country Series Final winner, Jimmyjoe at Tabcorp Park Menangle in July 2022, but rated him second behind the now deceased 6-year-old For A Reason eight-win pacer – The Stain – as the best horse he has trained.
“He was a lovely brown pacer, who sadly had his life cut short. It’s hard to prioritise horses, but I also like Bracken Warrior, who ran third in race eight as the favourite on Monday. He’s a lovely 8-year-old Art major gelding who has won nine races and almost $90,000 for me and my sister, Emma.”
Parker said he grew up with horses on his parents (Kim and Louise) Murrumbateman farm, 99km south-west of Goulburn.
“I’ve been around the equine breed since day one virtually. Dad used to train gallopers, and I used to ride trackwork for him before school. That was until I got too heavy. Then when I was about 14 or 15 I helped my uncle Terry train his standardbreds. Then when I was 18 (2000) Dad trained his last galloper, and since then he has trained trotters with me (all in my name) since.
“I used to drive, but again weight and new career in painting restricted me. I drove 12 winners in eight seasons from the 1999-2000 season, and then switched to training. Actually, Kylie and I both drove our first winners on a gelding name named Colossus – both at Canberra. He was trained by uncle Terry,” Parker said.
Parker’s debut driving victory came May 2, 1999, while sister Kylie, won the first of her seven career victories behind the 1995 son of Fortitude Hanover on December 22, 2001.
Parker also clearly remembers his first and 100th training victories.
“My first training success was behind Brindalee, also at Canberra on April 1, 2000. I also drove her that day as well. My 100th was also very special because my very good friend, Dean Cernovskis, drove Bracken Warrior to score at The Riverina Paceway on May 28 this year,” he said.
But Parker insists none of his victories would have ever occurred had it not been for his loyal owners.
“I’ve had a few owners who have stuck by me over the years, and I will be forever grateful for that. Three come to mind. They are Neville Leonard, Mark Ellis, and Wayne and Lisa from Wallara Standardbreds.
Footnote: Goulburn is 193km south-west of Sydney and 95km north-east of Canberra. It is also 99km north-east of Murrumbateman. Goulburn’s population is 24,565, while Murrumbateman, which is situated in the Yass Valley, boasts 3.219 people.
