Trainer Neville Parnham fears Bustler is running for the minor prize in the Quokka, but is delighted the three-year-old has secured a slot in the $4 million race.
A Fairetha Stakes (1400m) winner last year, Bustler will run under the Jack Lee-Steere banner in Perth’s richest race over 1200m at Ascot in two weeks.
Neville Parnham says Bustler faces a massive hurdle to upset Amelia’s Jewel in the Quokka, but liked the manner in which he finished off Saturday’s Roma Cup (1100m).
Bustler got a long way back from a wide draw, but from last position he ran through the line strongly when sixth and four lengths from brilliant winner, Amelia’s Jewel.
Parnham said it was the perfect hit out ahead of The Quokka on April 15.
“He was very good and from his barrier draw there was no real other way to ride him,” Parnham told The Races WA.
“He probably found the line a bit better than I thought he would, I thought he would be run off his feet being 1100m.
“But he travelled up pretty strongly coming to the corner, it was a matter of finding a bit of room which he did.
“I thought his last 200m was very good and he kept running up the hill.
“He pulled up really good from the run and it was all positive.”
Like most observers last weekend, Parnham was in awe of Amelia’s Jewel’s stunning return win in the Roma Cup.
Expected to be vulnerable on her return at 1100m, the Simon Miller-trained three-year-old was simply brilliant.
First up after her G1 heroics in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) in December, Amelia’s Jewel stormed home strongly over the short course sprint.
A repeat run and she’ll be an impregnable force in the Quokka. The daughter of Siyouni currently holds $2.40 favouritism with Tabtouch.
“It looks like she will be extremely hard to beat,” Parnham said.
“Everyone is starting to think they are only running for placings.
“But it’s still good prizemoney around and anything can happen between now and then.
“From what I saw of her on Saturday she’s a super horse.
“To resume at 1100m at that level, they don’t usually do that, especially when she’s gone out to 1800m.
“She’s something special I think.”
Bustler is a $21 chance for The Quokka.
