Parsons’ favourite Heza Thief poised to boost profile at Wagga

By Deputy Chief EditorJune 23, 2018

191 2 minutes read

Heza Thief is the sort of horse that you love to find and it is no wonder he has become Cowra trainer Ken Parsons favourite.

The $3000 purchase has banked more than $126,000 as a six-year-old for Parsons, who rides him every day.

But as a horse rises through the grades in the country, it becomes harder to find the right race and Heza Thief will be on a nine-day back-up at Wagga on Sunday.

Dilemma solved: Gulgong trainer Brett Thompson will run Im Imogen, which has been hard to place in the bush after five wins, in Sundays Coonamble Cannonball.

Photo: Jenny Evans

“I bought him as a yearling and he has been great for me,” Parsons told racingnsw.com.au.

“I use to have to space his runs because he wasnt a good eater and had a few joint problems, but as he has become older, he has become better.

“This would be the quickest I have backed him up after a run. He pulled up terrific after Dubbo and he does like the wet so Wagga is a good option for him.

“He has drawn off the track a bit, which makes it tricky as he normally likes to be on the pace so he will have to try and slot in somewhere.”

With Heza Thief recording five wins, Parsons has to take the races when they come these days, a common problem in the country.

Gulgong trainer Brett Thompson faces the same dilemma with Im Imogen but thinks he has found the perfect race in Sundays Coonamble Cannonball, where he will use the services of apprentice Alena Skerritt.

“Shes come up exceptional this prep, they only got her late in the Gunnedah Lightning and she was dominant with 58kg at Tamworth,” he said.

“Shes getting hard to place in the bush as a five-race winner but shes well in on Sunday with Alenas claim. From a tidy draw, we can lead or be right on pace.

“Alena has ridden this mare all along and she is a really capable apprentice. She has nice hands, horses travel for her, but again its still a strong form race with Nictock scratched.”