The win of Norman Rules at Moonee Valley was a milestone success for Perth apprentice Chris Parnham on two fronts.
The victory was Parnham’s 80th in the metropolitan area which leaves the 17-year-old without a claim following Monday’s Sandown meeting.
Norman Rules, Chris Parnham
It was also his first win since making his shift to Melbourne permanent at the start of January.
Parnham had landed the Christmas Stakes on Tried and Tired at Sandown last month on a flying visit to Melbourne for Leon and Troy Corstens.
Easy in the market from $6 to $8.50, Norman Rules finished strongly to score by 1-1/4 lengths from Zahspeed ($5) with Lucques ($4.20 fav) a short-head away third.
“Since coming over here permanently it has taken a little while to get going and that’s my first winner here since my shift,” Parnham said.
“It’s also my 80th city winner so I’ve outridden my claim.
“I’m quite happy with that but now I’ve got to match it with the seniors and I’ve got to knuckle down and do my best.”
Parnham spreads his time between riding work at Flemington and Mornington, where he is indentured to Wes Hunter.
Girlfriend, fellow Perth apprentice Lucy Warwick, landed her first Victorian winner when successful at Yarra Valley after joining the Corstens stable earlier in the week.
Norman Rules could be bound for the South Australian Derby following his strong staying performance although trainer Cindy Alderson, who trains in partnership with her father Colin, said she would wait and see how the gelding pulls-up before making any decision.
“I think he’s going to be a really nice stayer but I think we’ll just play it by ear and see how he comes through each run,” Alderson said.
