Neville Parnham looks to strike double again
It was as good as it gets for trainer Neville Parnham this time a year ago when he was sitting on top of the WA racing world after claiming two sought after feature races.
Cometh the big races, cometh the big stables and Neville Parnham’s team didn’t disappoint, on a golden day of racing they carved out a prestigious feature race double.
Bustler handled the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) with aplomb, soon after stable mate Zipaway took out honours with a hard-fought victory in the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m).
The coveted results were not so surprising when you consider that Parnham’s been the standard-bearer for excellence in WA training ranks for multiple years.
Hall Of Fame induction, four wins at the elite level and more than 2000 winners since 1983, Parnham is widely acknowledged as one of the state’s leading horsemen.
12-months from that memorable double, Parnham holds out strong hope that he can repeat history on Saturday and if the betting market is a guide he’s in with top claims.
Bustler and Zipaway clash in the Railway against a host of interstate raiders while September Born will go into the WA Guineas (1600m) at the top of his game.
The son of Playing God, a sire that gave Parnham so much success in the past, has been touted as a top liner since scoring an impressive win on debut last June.
Opinions haven’t changed after he ran second in the Belgravia Stakes (1200m) first up, charging late from a wide draw before claiming the Fairetha Stakes (1400m).
Parnham said September Born, to be ridden by his son, Brad Parnham, will head to the WA Guineas in the best possible shape and with the perfect preparation.
“He had a solid gallop on Saturday,” Parnham said on Tabradio.
“He’s in as good a place as he can possibly be.
“He’s nice and sound and fit.
“He’s at his peak now and hopefully we can pull it off from a good gate.”
September Born is the $2.35 betting sites favourite. He’s drawn perfectly in barrier four.
Storyville, on the quick back up after last week’s brilliant last-to-first victory in the Champion Fillies Stakes, is on the second line of betting at $5.
Parnham has won the WA Guineas five times after Zipaway (2023), War Saint (2019), Rommel (2014), Playing God (2010) and Royal Retrieve (2001).
In the Railway, Parnham says he has a slight leaning to Zipaway, but only marginally.
Bustler improved second up after he ran second to Casino Seventeen in the Lee Steere, while Zipaway finished fourth after an interrupted run.
Zipaway is on the 53kg minimum for Steve Parnham, who made the tough call to jump off Bustler after they won the Railway last year.
Bustler will have Jarrad Noske for company and allocated 56kg, he carries 3kg more than his stable mate.
Parnham said going on history the weight advantage is a major asset for Zipaway.
“The minimum is generally speaking, those horses are hard to beat,” Parnham said.
“But he’s not just on the minimum, he won the Guineas last year and is a pretty smart horse.
“He raced well in Melbourne and will be right in the mix.”
Before Tuesday’s barrier draw Zipaway is $6 with betting companies. Edging him out of market lead is interstate visitor Light Infantry Man ($5.50.)
Bustler is $16.
“I reckon Bustler is going pretty good,” Parnham said.
“I still think 56kg is a winnable weight.
“Gee, he’s going good that horse.
“I think he’ll make his presence felt.
“There won’t be much between them, but the younger horse (Zipaway) with that minimum weight might just have the edge.”
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...