On Saturday, March 8, 2025, Bunbury Racecourse hosted a thrilling day of horse racing, featuring standout performances in key events such as the Bunbury Cup and the Bunbury Stakes.
WIN OF THE DAY
Triple Missile saved his best race day victory for new trainer Donna Riordan when coming from last to take out the Listed Bunbury Stakes at double figure odds. After 1002 days between drinks, others may have wondered where the next win was coming from and lost some faith, but not Riordan, who declared the seven-year-old had been racing well in hot races against quality opposition. A big help in the breakthrough was the ride from Joseph Azzopardi.
TRAINER
13 years on from Lords Ransom, Grant and Alana Williams were back in the Bunbury Cup limelight, finishing first and third with Captain Pluto and Sensessional. Earlier, their five-year-old Gingerbread Man gelding Fluro Neuro extended his winning streak to three.
JOCKEY
Chris Parnham was breathing fire early with wins in the opening two races and he then closed out the day in a thriller. He led and rated Success Play perfectly, gave Above The Peg full rein halfway down the straight and had to get desperately busy on Premium Girl, who needed every inch of the 1400m, much to the relief of favourite punters.
Shaun Mcgruddy scored a race to race double, booting home Bellini Miss and Fiery Spark and was looking down the barrel of a treble in race nine, but was cut down late and denied by Chris Parnham and Premium Girl
It was looming as a dirty day for William Pike after the disappointment of Watch Me Rock in the Bunbury Stakes, but under patient riding Captain Pluto responded in the Bunbury Cup, Pike’s first win on the son of Savabeel after nine goes.
BEATEN FAVOURITES
Terratif burnt a hole in the pockets of punters early in the first, finishing fourth and never in line to pick up the leader, Success Play. At $1.34 it hurt. Watch Me Rock, Just Saint James and Loves Talking
HORSES TO FOLLOW
Ole Kirk two-year-old Fiery Spark made a statement on debut, despite getting the blows in betting, returning $26.50 and $4.10. Described as the real deal and a serious horse by trainer, Steve Wolfe.
A pleasant surprise for Stephen Miller when Bellini Miss, first-up and no trial, was able to duck to the inside and collar Cessation, who led everywhere, but where it mattered most on the line.
HARD LUCK STORY
Spirited Strike bounded on jumping, losing two lengths.
Best Mood was held up.
Sky Duke raced wide throughout.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Barney’s World returned lame in both hinds.
Own The Queen returned with an elevated heart rate. It’s been one of those frustrating campaigns for the classy mare.
Lonsdaleite suffered an off fore tendon injury.
NEXT
Ascot (Sunday)
1000 Guineas
Lex Piper
