The race for this seasons Apprentice Jockey Premiership title is up for grabs, following a brilliant Chris Parnham treble at Belmont today.
The youngest of the three Parnham hoops started proceedings with a bold victory aboard Magnifisio ($1.75 fav) in the Crown Perth Sprint 1000m. Sitting outside early leader and second elect Grey Cheval ($4.80), Parnham claimed the lead at the top of the straight, before holding off the fast finishing Cherie Amour ($21.00) by a neck.
Parnham’s second return was an unconvincing long neck win aboard Dark Delight ($1.45 fav) – the hoop forced to pull out all stops in the tabtouch.mobi HCP 1400m after being handy throughout, while his final leg victory was simply clinical – shooting Galoubay ($4.60 fav) to the lead at the 400m in the Paddy Dorrain Birthday HCP 1400m and careering away for a comfortable 2 ½ length spanking.
Chris Parnham (28.5 city wins) has now closed the gap on Apprentice Jockey Premiership leader Ben Paterson (29 city wins) who failed to register on the day.
The back markers also fared well today at Belmont, with three cracking runs from the rear of the field claiming the prize.
Mitchell Pateman was riding in memory of his father Michael who sadly passed away during the week, when piloting Black Romeo ($8.00) from eleventh on the turn to win the Westspeed Nominations Close On July 26 HCP 1400m by a long neck, while Starlight Lady ($21.00) came from last to surprise all when successful in the Happy 21st Birthday Blythe Jackson HCP 2100m by a head.
Mr Utopia ($2.25 fav) left the fragile favourite punters smiling when storming home from last (again) for a narrow ½ length victory in the George Monck 70th Birthday HCP 1400m.
In other races, Coruscation ($2.70 fav) made it back to back wins with a dominate performance in the Westspeed Nursery HCP 1200m – 2 ½ lengths the final margin, while Settle Strada ($8.00) returned to its winning Belmont ways when taking out the listed Beaufine Stakes 1000m by 1 ¾ lengths.
The Hoops / Trainers
Young Chris Parnham was simply sensational piloting a riding treble, while the trainers shared the spoils.
The Tipsters
Leading bookmaker Don Martin returned from a spell in devastating form – finding Coruscation ($2.70 fav), Magnifisio ($1.75 fav), Mr Utopia ($2.25 fav), Dark Delight ($1.45 fav), Settle Strada ($8.00), and Galoubay ($4.60 fav) amongst his selections.
Blackie found three winners – Magnifisio ($1.75 fav), best bet Mr Utopia ($2.25), and Dark Delight ($1.45) – and could easily have had five with each way choice Cyber Crime ($8.00) falling short by a head, and Not A Single Drop ($3.00) run down late to finish a long neck second. Blackie also found the First 4 (quartet) in the sixth that paid a massive $1094.70, and also claimed the $570.40 quaddie.
On the East Coast, Shane dispelled second up syndrome rumours with a massive return in trying conditions. On the dead going at Flemington, Shane found Pago Rock ($8.00) and Pillar Of Creation ($7.50), while on the slow Warwick Farm course Shane tipped Madam Nash ($4.00) and Upshot ($5.00). The slow Doomben track did not deter Shane either with best bet Cape Kidnappers ($1.45 fav), Loaded ($3.10 fav), and General Exhibit ($5.00) all saluting.
The Black Book
Cherie Amour scared the pants of raging favourite Magnifisio – getting within a neck, while Not A Single Drop did everything but win the sixth and looks close to a victory.
Chris Blackwell