Zipaway to jump from barrier 14 in Northerly Stakes

Jockey Steven Parnham couldn’t disguise his disappointment when Zipaway came up with barrier 14 in Saturday’s Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot.

With his head in his hands, Steven Parnham was left contemplating how he would be able to negotiate the best run for Zipaway from the second widest gate.

To rub a little extra salt in the wound, Bustler, who he rode to victory in the Railway Stakes (1600m), drew perfectly in gate five for his brother, Brad.

Parnham made the difficult call to ride Zipaway over Bustler in the Northerly Stakes, citing 52kg and his WA Guineas victory as pivotal reasons.

While Parnham was coming to terms with Zipaway’s awkward draw, his father, trainer, Neville Parnham, was more upbeat about his hopes.

The Hall Of Famer, who has a massive opinion of the three-year-old, says barrier 14 adds a layer of difficulty, but won’t ruin Zipaway’s winning chances.

“There looks to be a bit of speed on with Zoumon, Zaaki and Marocchino, they’re the three people are suggesting will be the forward horses,” Parnham said on Tabradio.

“I’m not sure what Steve is thinking, but he’ll go through the replays.

“There is an opportunity of him coming across, but whether he chooses that remains to be seen.

“I think the pace will be pretty genuine in a race like this.

“I don’t think he would want to get too far back.

“On paper the barrier looks awkward, but I think he can still win the race.”

Bustler was icing on the cake for Neville and Steven Parnham when winning the G1 Railway Stakes.

It capped a red-letter day for the family after Zipaway’s WA Guineas success.

Parnham (Neville) said Bustler had improved since the Railway Stakes.

“Bustler drew well and gets his chance to hold his form and be competitive in another Group 1,” Parnham said.

“He pulled up really well from the run and was jumping out of his skin on the Monday.

“From barrier five he gets the chance to have an easy sort of trip.

“He’ll get a really nice run and the chance to have his name up in lights again.”

Zipaway is also in line to give Steven Parnham a record-breaking win and a slice of Northerly Stakes history.

He currently share four wins with Paul Harvey after riding Kay Cee (2014), Ihtsahymn (2024) and Playing God (2012-2011).

Zipaway and Bustler are $11 with Tabtouch.

Zaaki the $2.60 favourite with Alsephina next at $7.50.