Parnham Hoping For Luck At Kingston Town Classic Barrier Draw

Trainer Neville Parnham has both Rommel and Bass Strait in the 2014 Kingston Town Classic field and he is hoping that both gallopers fare well in the barrier draw for the Group 1 event that will be held at Ascot on Saturday.

Bass Strait will be one of two Neville Parnham-trained runners in the 2014 Kingston Town Classic. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Bass Strait will be one of two Neville Parnham-trained runners in the 2014 Kingston Town Classic. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Bass Strait joined the Parnham stable after he failed to fire at the start of his 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign and he made his debut for his new trainer with a fifth place finish in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on November 1.

The Holy Roman Emperor gelding earnt a place in the field for the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) with a win in the Group 3 R.J. Peters Stakes (1500m) and he was far from disgraced when sixth behind Elite Belle in the Group 1 event at Ascot on November 22.

Parnham has been happy with the form of Bass Strait since he arrived in Perth and he is confident that the five-year-old can produce a strong effort in the 2014 Kingston Town Classic if he draws an inside gate at the barrier draw this afternoon.

“Bass Strait named in the final field for this Saturday’s G1 Kingston Town Classic at Ascot,” Parnham said.

“The In-form Chris Parnham will again take the ride.

“Hoping the barrier gods can be good to us when the drawer is announced.”

Parnham has always had a high opinion of Rommel and the talented three-year-old justified the faith of his trainer when he upset Disposition to take out the Group 2 Western Australian Guineas (1600m) at Ascot on November 22.

Jockey Steven Parham had the choice whether to ride last year’s winner Ihtsahymn in the Kingston Town Classic or partner the Western Australian Guineas winner and Parnham was delighted that he has the chance to deliver his son back-to-back Kingston Town Classic wins after he elected to ride Rommel this weekend.

“After his brilliant last start WA Guineas win, Rommel will take his place in this Saturday’s WFA G1 Kingston Town Classic at Ascot,” Parnham said.

“Steven Parnham will take the ride and aim for back to back classics.

“Hoping the barrier drawer is kind to us tomorrow.”

Rommel is currently available at 2014 Kingston Town Classic odds of $12, while Bass Strait is available at a quote of $26 to record his maiden win at Group 1 level.

Parnham is chasing his third win in the Kingston Town Classic after he won back-to-back editions of the race with Playing God in 2010 and 2011.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.