Racing: Parkes in saddle of gelding for Makfi race

Kelly Burne isn't saying much about Survived. Photo / Warren Buckland

The update on champion Hawke's Bay sprinter Survived remains frighteningly cryptic as crossword puzzles as the deadline to defend his title draws closer.

"He's very well in himself," Hastings owner/breeder Don Gordon said last night when asked how the 4-year-old gelding was progressing before the first of the three JB Organics Hawke's Bay Spring Racing Carnival meetings begins in a fortnight in Hastings.

OWNER/BREEDER: Don Gordon.

Asked to elaborate on the 2013 Makfi Challenge Stakes winner, the 81-year-old from Raukawa said: "He's very bright, keen in his workout and his coat's looking very good."

What is crystal clear is that Wanganui-based jockey Johnathon Parkes has been confirmed as the rider for the opening two legs of the Bay Triple Crown series - the Windsor Park Plate follows on September 20.

Parkes is serving a six-week ban for reckless riding but the authorities reduced his suspension by seven days on appeal, to give him the green light to saddle Survived.

However, Parkes clinched his maiden career group-one win when he rode Ransomed to victory in last year's Spring Classic, which is on October 4 this year.

Earlier, Gordon was hopeful Opie Bosson would again ride Survived at the carnival.

Bosson got hurt before the premier 2200m Spring Classic last year, so Hayden Tinsley had jumped into the saddle.

"Kelly picked Johnathon Parkes who is a leading rider and a young chap who ranks highly in the country," Gordon said of the endorsement from Waipukurau trainer Kelly Burne.

Survived had a paddock injury in Wellington following the Thorndon Mile in January, which caused the horse to miss the 2000m weight-for-age at Te Rapa a fortnight later.

Burne had broken in Survived but Gordon sought Hastings trainer John Bary's services after Burne broke her back in December 2012.

Survived had a working gallop last Thursday in Hastings.

"We're not pushing him," Gordon said, adding his injury had healed well and all that remained in the pastern and fetlock region was a faint scar.

Survived, aptly named after he was born close to the dimensions of a hare and won a life's reprieve, will tomorrow be on trial at Taupo in a "jump-out" over 1100m.

The gelding, sired by Zed and 16.1 hands high, won seven of his 16 starts under Bary's tutelage but there's much speculation on how well he will go this year.

"Hopefully it won't rain [in Taupo]. A fresh track will be better," Gordon said, hastening to emphasise Survived won last year's Makfi and the Group 3 Hawke's Bay Cup (2200m) six months earlier in wet to heavy conditions.

Bary will bank on Recite for a Makfi victory this season.