The old adage used to be the family that prays together stays together.
With the Parnham family it is a case of the family that races together succeeds together.
In fact it was a dominating performance when the father and son combination of Neville and Brad Parnham combined to win the Byron Searle Birthday Sprint (1000m) with the aptly named Dominating.
It was the Snitzel gelding’s fourth win from eight starts and his most convincing.
Jockey Brad Parnham seemed particularly delighted passing the post, after shrugging off Military Secret in the run home, giving a triumphant flourish with his whip.
Parnham later explained there were two reasons for this; he has a real liking for the attractive chestnut and he was also glad that Leonora publican and part-owner, Syd Stewart, had been on course to see his horse win.
In fact it was the first time Stewart has seen his galloper in action and although he still has a way to go before emulating Beyond Dispute (16 wins and 31 places) Dominating is set to give similar enjoyment to the owner.
Neville Parnham said he was in no hurry to take him up to higher company and would concentrate on sprint distances up to 1400m.
The trainer’s youngest son Chris also was to the fore when he scored convincingly with Shining Knight in the Joe Stratton Sprint (1000m).
The Bob Peter’s owned galloper has had tendon problems in the past and is relatively lightly raced. This was the four year old’s second victory from five starts.
11.5.13