Parnham laces up for 2024 Black Heart Bart Stakes victory
Ace jockey Chris Parnham believes classy mare Laced Up Heels is a strong contender to make a winning return in Saturday’s Listed Black Heart Bart Stakes (1200m) at Belmont’s final meeting of the season on Saturday.
Chris Parnham links up with the Luke Fernie -trained five-year-old after her previous run in Adelaide when she finished 10th and two lengths shy of Boognish in the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville in May.
Before going interstate her form at home was solid with one win and three placings, highlighted by narrow seconds to Magnificent Andy in The Joey (1200m) and Sapphire Street in the Sheila Gwynne Classic (1400m).
Parnham, who has stolen the march in WA’s Jockey’s premiership and is second behind James Mcdonald in the Australian title, would love to add his name on the Black Heart Bart Stakes honour board behind brothers Steven and Brad.
Brad won aboard Local Legend, trained by John Price in 2007 and Steven booted home Lite’n In My Veins for Hall Of Fame trainer, Fred Kersley, a decade later.
Both siblings have undeniable claims of a second Black Heart Bart Stakes success with Brad piloting dual black-type winner, Magnificent Andy and Steven having responsibilities on current favourite, Searchin’ Roc’s
Chris and Laced Up Heels have been together on 11 occasions and proved a dynamic combination three times with the best being in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) when they combined to inflict the first loss on Amelia’s Jewel.
Laced Up Heels warmed up for her return with a soft trial, not being asked to do too much by Chris in her 1000m heat, ending up a close second in a bunching finish behind stable mate Wild Belle.
In peak form in the saddle, Chris was upbeat about reuniting with Laced Up Heels officially and her winning prospects in the Black Heart Bart Stakes following a double on Royal Law at Belmont yesterday (Wednesday).
“Her trial was really good,” Parnham said.
“I’ve ridden her a couple of times at Ascot track work and her work has been pretty solid.
“It’s a tough race to win, obviously a lot of chances, but I believe she goes in with a fair amount of confidence.”
A quality field of 14 is slated to contest the Black Heart Bart Stakes. Laced Up Heels jumps from barrier nine.
She’s currently rated a $7.50 chance with betting sites, Searchin’ Roc’s is $3.30, in from $3.70.
Frigid is $6, Phanta $7.50 with Magnificent Andy and Aztec Ruler $8.50 with online betting companies.
Chris has another strong book of rides on Saturday, launching with $2,50 favourite Bondi Plunge in the first, Mean MacHine (R2), Miss Flirtacious (R3), Arcadia Knight (R5), Filthy Habits (R6) and Count The Sessions (R7).
He’ll be a popular pick for punters to follow and is a big chance to add to his 27-city win tally this season and maintain his momentum ahead of William Pike who is ten behind.
More Racing News
Melbourne Cup hopes boosted for Ciaron Maher runners after handicapping
Juja Kibo has taken a significant step towards a Melbourne Cup start, receiving a revised handicap following his impressive victory in The Metropolitan last Saturday.The chief handicapper for Racing Victoria, David Hegan, assigned the Ciaron Maher-trained stayer a 2kg penalty for the $10 million event, acknowledging his dominant 1-3/4-length win...
Crescent King set for Brian Crowley Stakes after Warwick Farm triumph
While Crescent King has not yet been tested in Saturday races, a commanding win at Warwick Farm on Monday could well have earned him a start in Stakes company.The Written Tycoon colt, a three-year-old, now boasts two wins from as many starts this preparation after he reeled in the speedy...
Attrition set for another tilt at the Hill Stakes
Mitch Freedman's primary focus at Flemington last Saturday was on the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes, which he claimed with Skybird, but he was also an interested observer of the Turnbull Stakes.The Ballarat trainer expressed his satisfaction at seeing Cosmic Crusader achieve a dominant 1-3/4-length victory in the 2000-metre Group 1...
Welcometotheshow primed for Toorak Handicap tilt
Trainer Tyler Donaldson-Aitken is preparing to mark a significant career milestone, readying his first Group 1 contender, Welcometotheshow.The race targeted for Welcometotheshow is the highly anticipated Toorak Handicap, a 1600-metre event at Caulfield this Saturday. This comes after the gelding secured his inaugural Stakes race victory at Flemington on September...
Flying For Fun targets Schillaci Stakes after impressive return
Bryce Heys has opted to keep Flying For Fun at shorter distances for now, with the mare's next start set to be in Melbourne for the Schillaci Stakes.The dual stakes winner is expected to be nominated for the 1100m sprint at Caulfield on Saturday. This comes after a promising return...
Close call as Skybird narrowly wins Gilgai Stakes
Depending on when you are reading this, trainer Mitchell Freedman and favourite backers may only just have exhaled as a unique characteristic nearly brought Skybird undone in the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.Sent out the $2.90 market elect, Skybird looked set for an easy victory as jockey Ben Melham eased the...
Cosmic Crusader's Turnbull Stakes victory points to Cox Plate tilt
Pakenham trainer Andrea Leek has celebrated her most substantial success to date as Cosmic Crusader triumphed in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Leek is now aiming for an even greater prize, hoping to return to headquarters for Australia's premier weight-for-age race, the Cox Plate, with the Perth-owned galloper.The prestigious Cox...
Premiere Stakes victory for Tempted seals Everest start
Tempted has made a powerful statement with her commanding win in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick, effectively securing her owner Godolphin's slot in The Everest and signalling her readiness to challenge Hong Kong's elite sprinter Ka Ying Rising.The official confirmation is awaited, but Tempted is expected to represent the global...
Mr Monaco books Melbourne Cup ticket with Flemington win
The Ciaron Maher stable has successfully gained another 'Golden Ticket' to the Melbourne Cup thanks to Mr Monaco's triumph at Flemington.Mr Monaco triumphed in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, thereby securing a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) scheduled for November 3.Previously, Shockletz...
Sam Clipperton makes triumphant return with Group 2 Metropolitan win on Juja Kibo
Jockey Sam Clipperton marked his most significant success since his return from retirement by guiding Juja Kibo to victory in the Randwick staying feature, The Metropolitan, a race now designated as Group 2.Clipperton had stepped away from the saddle just over a year after his 2023 Everest triumph on Think...