Malibu Style to run at Flemington
Perth trainer Neville Parnham has decided to keep Malibu Style in Melbourne to run at Flemington rather than head to a stakes race in Adelaide.
Malibu Style has been based at Flemington in recent weeks for his Victorian campaign which has so far netted a second placing at Caulfield before his Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) win at the same track on April 22.
Malibu Style is nominated for the Group Three McKay Stakes (1100m) in Adelaide on Saturday as well as a 1000m open handicap at Flemington.
“He was really good last start and we did contemplate sending him to Adelaide for the stakes race but we’ve opted to stay at Flemington,” Parnham said.
“He’s only got to walk to the races instead of having to travel eight or nine hours to Adelaide.
“He galloped at Flemington this morning and his trackwork was probably as good as he could put up, which was really good.
“I think he’ll be an excellent chance again.
“I know he goes up in weight but I don’t see that as a major issue.”
Malibu Style’s performance will determine where the five-year-old heads next.
Parnham said The Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington two weeks after Saturday was his plan, but the Group One Goodwood in Adelaide on the same day remained an option.
“If he went really well and keeps improving, we could consider taking him to Adelaide,” Parnham said.
But he said the set weights and penalties conditions of the Goodwood against quality sprinters would not be to Malibu Style’s advantage.
“Highly likely he’ll go to both races at Flemington and then we can work out what we can do with him from there,” Parnham said.
“He’d have to do something really special on Saturday to change my mind.”
Parnham’s son Steven will again make the trip from the west to ride Malibu Style in the race which has attracted 22 nominations headlined by Under The Louvre who has 63.5kg.