Fresh from winning both feature races on the Easter long weekend a fortnight ago, jockey Brad Parnham has this weekend’s blacktype races firmly in his sights.
Parnham will team up with Amasenus in tomorrow’s Sheila Gwynne Classic (1400m), who he won the Marjorie Charleson Classic (1200m) aboard on Good Friday.
He will then link up with quality sprinter Indian Pacific 24 hours later in the Group 3 Northam Stakes (1100m).
Indian Pacific trialled stylishly at Belmont on Tuesday, where he beat talented three-year-old It’sarayday and multiple Group race winner Valour Road.
The gelding had been earmarked for an east coast campaign earlier this year, but trainer Neville Parnham’s plans had to be shelved due to WA’s border settings.
Parnham, who was aboard Indian Pacific on Tuesday, said he hoped the trial would take the edge off the five-year-old.
“He felt really good to me in the trial,” he told TABradio
“He felt a little bit fresh and he came out of the gates and really wanted to run.
“I hope he gets to the races and he’s not overly fresh.”
Indian Pacific is a $6.50 chance with TABtouch for the $150,000 event, with Elite Street a commanding $2.40 favourite.
Parnham said Elite Street was clearly the one to beat but hoped Indian Pacific could take it up to the Dan Morton-trained gelding.
“He’s a horse that is capable,” he said.
“If he runs at his best, he is capable of beating Elite Street.
“Elite Street is a very good horse.”
Parnham’s younger brother Chris rides Elite Street in the Northam Stakes and also rides Buzzoom in the Sheila Gwynne Classic, who looms as the biggest threat to Amasenus.
Buzzoom, who finished second to Amasenus in the Marjorie Charleson Classic, is the $2.20 TABtouch favourite.
Amasenus, a $3.80 chance, is having just her second start at 1400m and Parnham said he was confident she would handle the trip.
“That’ll be a bit of a test but I think she’s up to it,” he said.
“She seems to have a very good sprint on her, so as long as I can save her until the top of the straight, I am confident she’s going to be right there.
“I think she will be good enough to be fighting the finish out with Buzzoom.”
Tomorrow’s Ascot meeting gets underway at 12.19pm.
