2016 Kingston Town Classic a family affair for Parnham Racing
THE Parnham family bleeds racing and this Saturday is set to be a milestone with brothers Steven, Chris and Brad all engaged to ride in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot.
Adding to the family dynamic, Brad will be piloting seven-year-old Bass Strait in the weight for age event, with the bay gelding trained by their father, Neville.
Neville is one of the West’s best conditioners, winning a record 13 premierships since taking out his licence in 1983, having commenced training after booting home more than 40 winners as a jockey.
Parnham has also won most of the feature races in the state as a trainer, including two runnings of the Kingston Town Classic in 2010 and 2011.
As he eyes off a third trophy in 2016 with $41 roughie Bass Strait, Parnham says his charge is not without a hope.
“It seems a pretty even field, I am certainly not going there thinking he will win, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he did,” Parnham told HorseBetting.com.au.
“When you are competing at group 1 level it is the pinnacle of racing and we always try to find a horse which is good enough to compete at this level.
“It’s good to have a runner, especially one with a bit of form leading into the race, and he has done everything I could hope for.”
With the modest record of four wins and nine minors from 49 starts, it’s not hard to see why the son of Holy Roman Emperor is at long odds, however, two encouraging seconds at his two most recent starts will see him line up in Saturday’s $1,000,000 event in peak form.
Included in those runs was a one length runner-up finish behind Scales Of Justice in the Group 3 R J Peters (1500m) on November 12, with that form made to look exceptional after Scales Of Justice won the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at his next start.
Parnham says he is pleased by Bass Strait’s most recent efforts ahead of the 1800m event this weekend.
“There is no question that he doesn’t find the line in front too often, but when you get a horse hitting their form like this it is encouraging.
“I am happy with the way he has progressed, he seemed to go off a fraction for a few runs but he is back to his best now, whether he is good enough is another question, but he has certainly found his form at the right time.
“I think he (Bass Straight) has come on again (from his last run) – he is definitely a fitter animal.
“The weight for age conditions probably don’t suit him, but I think that’s the same for a lot of horses, whereas it probably favours horses such as Perfect Reflection and Kawi which has won five group 1 races.
“He does have an advantage though, as do most of the WA horses, because this is his home track.”
Parnham says he is hopeful Bass Strait can get away well this week and find a prominent position in the early stages.
“He can be a little bit tardy out of the gates, but if he jumps cleanly I would be inclined to roll forward.
“Obviously Scales Of Justice will be coming across from the wider gate so we might be able to follow him into the race.”
Parnham says it is difficult to pick out a standout threat in the event, with the 2016 running packed with a quality congregation of thoroughbreds.
“I think you could make a case for most of the runners in the race. Kawi, Perfect Reflection, Macintosh, Vanbrugh, Disposition are all in with a big chance.
“The track was a little bit leader-biased when Scales Of Justice won the (Railway Stakes) and whether he can pull off another win like that over an additional 200m is a big ask – it’s not impossible – but it’s going to be a little bit harder under weight for age conditions.
“Even Steven (Parnham’s) ride Ihtsahymn has been working the house down this week and he is a previous winner of the race so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him win.”
Parnham said it would also be a special win if Bass Strait were to salute on Saturday with Brad on board, with the father-son combination yet to taste group 1 success together.
“We have won the Karrakatta Plate and the Sires Produce Stakes together in addition to numerous other races.
“It would be great to win a group 1 together – I combined with my eldest son Steven to win this race twice before with a horse called Playing God which won it in consecutive years as a three and a four-year-old.
“While it would be nice for my horse to win, I would be happy to see any of my sons ride the winner – it would be extremely nice.”
Group 1 Kingston Town Classic – market
Good Project $15
Ihtsahymn $51
Stratum Star $13
Kawi $5.50
Disposition $15
He Or She $31
Dubai Escapade $151
Bass Strait $41 with Crownbet.com.au
Tradesman $9.50
Scales Of Justice $5.50
Vanbrugh $14
Mackintosh $14
Heart Starter $51
Neverland $61
Tick Tick Boom $201
Perfect Reflection $4.20