Parnham pleased with Railway Stakes winner Bustler
Monday’s 1000m trial saw the 2023 Railway Stakes champion settle mid-pack before closing off well to finish within two lengths of winner Wind And The Lion, sparking optimism for his upcoming prep.
The five-year-old failed to win last campaign but consistently ran well, finishing close-up in four Group races including the Lee Steere Stakes, Railway Stakes, Northerly Stakes, and Gold Rush.
Steven Parnham, who partnered the gelding in the trial, said the performance was better than expected.
“I was really pleased with his trial,” Parnham told TABradio. “He’s not usually a flash trialler. He keeps it for race day. But he’s working as well as ever and has matured nicely.”
Trained by Neville Parnham, the son of Playing God will again be aimed at the Belmont Sprint (1400m) and Hyperion Stakes (1600m), where he won and placed in 2023.
Steven said a potential start in the Northam Stakes (1300m) remains on the table after Monday’s strong showing.
“Dad was planning to go first-up into the Belmont Sprint, but the trial might have changed our thinking,” he said. “He’s ready to go whenever we decide.”
Meanwhile, two-year-old Deltason will head toward the WA Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) after scoring in the Reliable Asset Maintenance Plate at Ascot on Saturday.
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