A jockey who has never even been to New Zealand before could end up the unlikely star of New Zealand Cup week that begins at Riccarton today.
If Josh Parr becomes a punter’s favourite this week, it could be a pointer to the return of top-flight Australian jockeys for our major carnivals for the first time in three years.
Parr flies in from Sydney to ride at all three days of the Riccarton carnival, including on Dynastic in the 2000 Guineas, the $500,000 first classic of the week.
Parr, who rode a winner on Oaks Day at Flemington on Thursday, has been lured to Christchurch by Te Akau after their stable No 1 Opie Bosson was suspended, leaving them without a proven Group 1 jockey who could commit to all their rides for the week.
With Parr having nine career Group 1s and being highly regarded in the ultra-competitive Sydney jockeys room, he fits the bill beautifully, even forgoing riding on the last day of Melbourne Cup week to be in Canterbury.