Following another disappointing performance on the weekend, Bustler has been ruled out from the remainder of Melbourne’s autumn carnival.
Perth’s top five-year-old hasn’t been able to reach the heights of last November when he claimed Group 1 honours in the Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot.
Bustler flopped at his first Melbourne start, failing to beat a runner home in a fast run edition of the CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
On Saturday, Bustler settled back and was never in contention in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m), finishing 13th of 14 to Atishu.
Neville Parnham said it was disappointing that Bustler wasn’t able to be at his best in Melbourne and in hindsight the turnaround from his previous start in the Gold Rush (1400m) was too short a turnaround.
“He’s gone to the paddock,” Parnham told The Races WA.
“He’s just not right, obviously.
“Through barriers and track bias things have been against him.
“The two week break between the Gold Rush and back in work was just not enough.
“He’s not a shadow of real race form at the moment.”
Bustler capped an unflattering Flemington meeting for Parnham after Zipaway failed to fire in the Group 1 Australian Guineas.
After copping a difficult run against a crack field of three-year-olds, the son of Playing God faded to finish 12th behind Southport Tycoon.
It followed an encouraging first up run in Melbourne when third to Snow Patrol in the Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Parnham says nothing went right for Zipaway in the Australian Guineas.
“I asked Steven (Parnham) to go forward, but that didn’t work,” Parnham said.
“He was trapped deep, overaced and weakened.
“I think the Alister Clarke Stakes (2040m) in three weeks will be his next run.
“If he goes well he will fly home and maybe into the WA Derby (2400m) on April 8.
“But, he would have to run very well to entertain that idea.”
