Neville Parnham has finally won his maiden Group 1 Railway Stakes on Saturday afternoon, with his four-year-old gelding Bustler (+800) taking out the 2023 edition ahead of Alsephina (+240) and Dom To Shoot (+2200).
With 27 winners out of the last 64 Railway Stakes being won by four-year-olds, Bustler has improved that record to 28, after he ran away from the field in the final 200m.
After jumping from barrier two, Steven Parnham let the son of Playing God balance up and find a position behind the leaders off the rails.
As expected, Marocchino (+2000) and Massimo (+4000) took up the lead with Comfort Me (+1400) settling outside of them in the breeze and ran the race at a solid tempo.
However, as the field turned the final time into the home straight, Parnham got onto the back of Comfort Me peeled off his back at the 300m mark to stake his claim.
When Parnham went for his mount, he gave an almighty kick and took over at the 200m mark before continuing to race clear from the fast-finishing Alsephina and Dom To Shoot who flew down the outside to finish in the placings.
2023 Railway Stakes Replay – Bustler | T: Neville Parnham | J: Steven Parnham
After claiming both the WA Guineas and Railway Stakes, Neville Parnham spoke post-race about the wins of Zipaway and Bustler.
“It’s been a fantastic day, and I couldn’t do it without the team behind me,” Parnham said.
“It’s been a plan that has all come together and it has all happened on the one day.
“This is one of the best days that I’ve had.
“The Railway Stakes has alluded me throughout my 40-year career, but it was one race that I just wanted to tick off, as I think it’s probably one of our most prestigious, if not the most prestigious race.
“Steve (Parnham) pulled out an 11 out of 10 ride and was able to get him out into the moving line and pounce when he wanted to.
“Zipaway is a really nice horse, and he has a nice future.
“He has the ability to go to the next level.
“Earlier this year, I thought that this horse (Zipaway) was a good horse and he had a good two-year-old prep.
“I was very confident that he was going to win the race (WA Guineas) without being too confident or cheeky.
“Zipaway most certainly will go there (Northerly Stakes) as long as he pulls up well.
“Bustler, we will have a think about The Gold Rush, but the way he is going, we would be silly not to have a go because he is trending like a horse that will get 1800 (metres) this year.
Bustler is now a $10 chance in both the Northerly Stakes and The Gold Rush futures markets with online bookmakers.
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