Neville Parnham has not given up hope of having his talented sprinter Indian Pacific back across in Melbourne for another campaign of racing.
The WA Racing Hall Of Fame trainer is sweating on the reopening of WA’s border on February 5 and an easing of travel and flight restrictions.
A lack of flight options ruined Parnham’s plan to run Indian Pacific in the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on January 15.
He appeared primed for a crack at the Standish after blitzing his rivals by six lengths in a 1000m Belmont Park trial on January 4.
The Zoustar gelding has not raced since finishing sixth to Graceful Girl in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) last November.
“We’re waiting on what happens when the border opens up and the picture becomes clearer,” Neville Parnham told The Races WA.
“I had thought about trucking him across to Melbourne but the hot weather is something to consider.
“The restrictions on who can crew and who can travel make it tough, the planes are not such a problem.
“There is also the thought and consideration of taking him across to Adelaide for the Goodwood (1200m).
“I haven’t ruled out trucking him there.
“After the border opens, where he goes become clear.”
More certain is Parnham won’t entertain a Perth summer campaign for Indian Pacific.
The five-year-old did not take his place in the Miss Andretti (1100m) on January 15 after he drew wide and was allocated 61kg.
Parnham says Saturday week’s Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) and next month’s Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m) are not in his plans.
“You won’t see him race in Perth anytime soon, given there are no real races for him,” Parnham said.
“With his rating he has to carry big weight against up and coming horses.
“His future may be in the east coast with a better selection of races.
“I’m not opposed to transferring him to another trainer.”
Indian Pacific underlined his Melbourne credentials last year when he ran two seconds in the Group 1 Newmarket (1200m) and Listed Bob Hoysted (1000m).
Meanwhile Parnham says 2021 Perth Cup (2400m) champion Neufbosc is also in line for an interstate campaign.
The seven-year-old and stable mate Platoon are set to return next month.
“They have both been jigging around and probably will race in the Detonator,” Parnham said.
“Neufbosc could run in the Adelaide Cup (3200m) and I’d be happy to truck him over.
“Platoon will run in the Bunbury Cup (2000m), but if flights change he could also go over east.”
Platoon ran third to Midnight Blue in the January’s Perth Cup and Neufbosc finished eighth.
The Adelaide Cup is run on March 14 and The Goodwood on May 21.
The Detonator Stakes (1800m) and the Bunbury Cup (2000m) are run at Ascot on February 19 and March 5 respectively.
Parnham also added Bam’s On Fire will head back to Melbourne and possibly have another campaign before retiring to stud.
