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Johnathon Parkes has been confirmed as the rider of Survived for the opening two legs of the Triple Crown series at Hastings.
The Wanganui-based jockey is currently serving a six week ban for reckless riding, but has had his suspension reduced by seven days on appeal to allow him to partner the defending champion in the Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes on August 30.
“Johnathon has been booked for the first two legs at Hastings and then we’ll be able to gauge how the horse has come up and whether he rides him in the Spring Classic,” Survived’s trainer Kelly Burne said.
“We know he’s got a sentimental association with Ransomed and we’re all fine with that.”
Parkes posted the first Group One win of his career when he combined with Ransomed to win last year’s Gr.1 Spring Classic.
Survived has enjoyed a long, slow build-up since he joined Burne’s stable and will be among the stars to trial at Taupo on Wednesday.
“I’ll know a lot more after that – it’s my first preparation with the horse and I’m still learning about him,” Burne said.
“He galloped really well on Saturday and he’s still a bit big in condition, even though he’s quite a narrow type of horse.
“He won’t take too much to tighten up and he is a very hard track worker. I’m just a bit guarded at the moment because I have been quite easy on him.”
Survived, who hasn’t raced since he was unplaced in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile in January, won seven of his 16 starts from John Bary’s Hastings stable before he was transferred by his Hawke’s Bay breeder-owner Don Gordon.
“I’ve had a long association with Don,” said Burne, who broke in Survived as a young horse.