Racing: Parker labels a winner

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Trainer Kerry Parker is pinning his hopes on at least one favourable Randwick result today to help save a forgettable week for his stable.

Parker said Brilliant Light and Nextanix - two horses trained up for a genuine shot at spring glory - have had setbacks.

"They have both picked up a bit of a bug and I've had to put them in the paddock for a week," Parker said.

"At this stage, I'm not too sure how much it will affect them. Brilliant Light was going to race on Saturday week but this puts a big question mark over the spring now."

Nothing has gone right for Brilliant Light since his 2010 Doncaster Mile placing, while Nextanix, despite his unfurnished appearance, is a horse with stakes potential.

"It's a bit gutting to see your A team in the paddock," the Kembla Grange horseman said.

"Especially Brilliant Light. I thought I had him right again. But, hopefully, the B team can keep things together for the stable."

Parker has two acceptors for today's meeting on the Kensington track: Private Label and Kanskje. Private Label will figure in an important gear change in the Les Bridge Senior Vale Hcp (1800m), while Kanskje needs a scratching to force his way into the field for the Chipping Norton Restaurant Hcp (1100m).

"I've taken the blinkers off Private Label because I thought last start he got trucking a bit too early," Parker said.

"He normally races best when he is allowed to settle further back and then run on."

Parker is hoping jockey Hugh Bowman can put Private Label "to sleep" from the inside barrier.

"If Hugh can get the horse to relax I think he will be in the race on what he did in Saturday class a few starts ago," Parker said.

Kanskje is also an acceptor for tomorrow's Hawkesbury meeting but Parker wants to take his chances at Randwick.

"He's drawn 14 in both races. If we're out on a limb in both places, I'd rather be racing for city prizemoney."

In other Sydney news, first-up expectations for two of Patinack Farm's stars, Trusting, the mount of James McDonald, and Gathering, are being kept in check ahead of their return to racing.

Trusting and Gathering will join a host of stars who will launch their campaigns in the Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

The weight-for-age race confirmed Trusting's promise in 2009 when he swept to victory as an early season 3-year-old.

But with the exception of George Main Stakes and Epsom Handicap placings in 2010 it has been slim pickings since for the entire.

And on what Trusting has shown in two preparatory trials, the Patinack team is reluctant to declare the 5-year-old ready for more Warwick Stakes heroics.

-AAP