Seasonal debut sparks interest

Comeback: Parisian Walkway appeared a useful juvenile, looks to the future

- Jack Milner

It is always exciting to observe how two-year-olds progress when they turn three. Some top juveniles only do well because they are precocious and just mature faster than their rivals, but others take some time before they start to train on.

So, with that in mind, it will be interesting to see in which direction Parisian Walkway has gone since he turned three. The son of Ideal World only raced four times as a two-year-old, finishing third on debut before outgunning Pearl In Her Crown to his next start by 2.75 lengths.

Trainer Alec Laird then took him to KwaZulu-Natal for a warm-up run before tackling the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. After finishing a 1.30-length third behind filly Spirit Of Levana, to whom he was conceding 7kg over 1600m at HWB Scottsville, he went at 3- to win the Champion Stakes.

He was drawn slightly wide and after racing handily, Parisian Walkway had little to come and faded to finish ninth, 6.55 lengths behind VJ's Angel.

VJ's Angel could not have been more impressive when winning a handicap against older fillies and mares, giving them all weight, at Turffontein last Saturday.

Parisian Walkway will line up in Race 6 at the Vaal tomorrow to contest a MR 87 Handicap over 1600m up the straight. The fact Gavin Lerena has taken the ride speaks volumes but, as we witnessed with VJ's Angel who clearly was in need of her first outing as a three-year-old, Parisian Walkway might just be in need of a run.