Chris Parnham confident Lad can strike in Kalgoorlie Cup

Stafford’s Lad scored his second win at Listed level yesterday, adding the Goldfields feature to his success in last year’s ATA Handicap (2200m).

The eight-year-old had to settle for second when he finished three lengths behind Living The Dream in last year’s Kalgoorlie Cup, but Chris Parnham said it could be a happier ending this year.

“You have got to go in pretty confident,” Parnham told TABradio.

“The Boulder Cup winner, generally, always plays a part in the Kal Cup.

“He’s going to have to carry a bit more weight.

“It’s not ideal going up in weight, but I don’t think he will have too much issue with it.”

Stafford’s Lad had gradually improved in each of his three runs prior to yesterday’s Boulder Cup, the most recent of them a midfield finish in the Coolgardie Cup (1760m).

Parnham settled the Dan Morton-trained galloper midfield throughout the run and got into clear running room with 600m to go.

Stafford’s Lad was able to get the better of No Apology by a long head, with He’s A Parker storming home to finish third.

Meanwhile, trainer Michael Grantham has indicated he will start Comes A Time in Saturday’s Black Heart Bart Stakes (1200m) and miss the Hannan’s Handicap (1400m) five days later.

“He hasn’t run over 1400 (this campaign) yet and I reckon it would just be a bit too much,” Grantham told TABradio.

“I’m going to back him up on Saturday and then he will probably go to the paddock for a couple of weeks.”

Elsewhere, Godolphin Managing Director Vin Cox said global racing giant were “looking forward to getting back over there” when discussing the upcoming Pinnacles Series at Ascot.