Neville Parnham has faith CF Orr Stakes contender
Neville Parnham has faith that Bustler can make his presence felt on debut in Melbourne.
A winner of the Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot last November, Bustler prepares for another Group 1 test in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Bustler and stable mate, WA Guineas champion, Zipaway, in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m), are testing interstate waters for the first time in their careers.
Bustler, a son of boom sire Playing God, meets a small but select group in the Orr Stakes after a field of nine accepted for the first Victorian Group 1 of 2024.
Mr Brightside has a stranglehold on betting for the Orr Stakes as he looks to launch his campaign on a high for the Ben, Will and Jd Hayes training combination.
Mr Brightside is the $1.85 favourite ahead of dual Group 1 hero, Pride Of Jenni ($6), promising three-year-old colt, Veight ($7) and Godolphin’s Pericles ($8).
Bustler, to be ridden by Steven Parnham, is rated the rank outsider of the field at $51 with online bookmakers.
Despite the big odds, Parnham believes Bustler will acquit himself well against a crack C.F.Orr Stakes line-up.
He expects a forward showing first-up, his hopes fueled and boosted after strong track gallops from Bustler.
“He did a fair bit of work on Saturday and had a good gallop yesterday,” Parnham said on Tabradio.
“I have to say his gallop yesterday (Tuesday) was probably as good as he can put up.
“He worked brilliantly and will certainly run a forward race.
“He’ll need to be at his best, but I do feel he’s in good form and he will run very well.”
Parnham is keen to test the Melbourne waters with Zipaway after the three-year-old talent underlined his promise last year.
A host of feature races are in the pipeline, including the Australian Guineas at Flemington in March if he performs to expectations.
Zipaway won the WA Guineas and ran a top third to Dom To Shoot and Zaaki at the elite level in the Northerly Stakes (1800m).
“Zaaki is in the twilight of his career, but still ran close up in the Cox Plate before he came over,” Parnham said.
“His form was pretty sound at the top level and Dom To Shoot ran third in a Railway and came out and won the Northerly.
“He’s (Zipaway) a quality horse in his own right and we’ll see how he measures up in Melbourne.
“He’s a nice horse and hopefully he can do us proud on the weekend.”
In a field of eight, Zipaway has drawn gate seven for Steven Parnham in the Autumn Stakes.
The Playing God gelding is currently rated a $5.50 chance.
Southport Tycoon the $1.90 favourite.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...