Neville Parnham confident of claiming Aquanita Stakes

Trainer Neville Parnham believes Demolish has improved since his return run in the Belmont Guineas (1600m) and is confident the three-year-old can snap a feature race drought on Saturday.

Demolish ran third to Rusty Dreams and Upper Limits in the Belmont Guineas two weeks ago, the Rich Enuff gelding’s fourth straight placing in Listed black-type events.

Racing first up after a WA Derby campaign, Demolish recorded seconds in the Lex Piper Stakes (1600m), J.C.Roberts Stakes (1800m) and Melvista Stakes (2200m) in the autumn.

Tabtouch has Demolish currently rated a $3.10 chance, his quote shortening from $3.50 with only Upper Limits ahead of him in the market at $3.10. Mojo’s Luck is next at $11.

Neville Parnham, who has won the Aquanita Stakes twice before, said a strong gallop by Demolish on Tuesday gave his confidence a further boost ahead of the $125,000 feature race.

“He worked super this morning (Tuesday),” Parnham told The Races WA.

“He’s entitled to take benefit from that run the other day.

“He was travelling quite well, but just ran out of nick which was expected.

“But he has thrived since then and will appreciate the step to 2000m.

“His fitness levels have come up quite considerably and the way he races he always puts himself there.

“He’ll take some beating on Saturday and I expect him to develop further as a four-year-old.”

Demolish has one victory and two placings from three second up attempts and will jump from barrier four.

Steven Parnham retains the ride.

The father and son duo combined to win the Aquanita Stakes with God Has Spoken (2010) and Playing God (2011).

Meanwhile at Belmont on Wednesday, Parnham all but wrapped up the Trainer’s Premiership after two wins.

A race-to-race double to Yarralea and Hint Of Mint advanced Parnham’s city tally to 54 wins.

With a month of the 2022-23 season remaining, Parnham has a six win lead over Simon Miller.

Parnham, a member of WA Racing’s Hall Of Fame, was Perth’s Leading trainer for 13 years after sharing his first title with Lou Luciani in 1991-1992.