Champion trainer Neville Parnham is marshalling his team for another premiership-winning season and he’s counting on Ridgeport Farm sire Rommel to provide his fair share of winners for the stable.
So is Ridgeport Farm owner Santo Guagliardo who raced Rommel to a Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) victory with Parnham in 2014.
Leading the charge is their black-type galloper Snowdome who won the G3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and Perth 3YO Classic (1000m) at Ascot last year. He was also narrowly beaten in the LR Belgravia Stakes (1200m) by Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) and Man Crush (Manhattan Rain).
His stablemate Storm Commander is another Rommel in winning form for Guagliardo and Parnham. He had disappointed in two runs following a ten-month spell before getting back on top of the ground in the Amelia Park (1000m) at Belmont on Saturday.
“There were excuses in both those losses,” Parnham explained. “He got back from an awkward draw first-up and then got beaten 20 lengths in the Heavy 8 last time. He doesn’t mind some cut in the ground but just couldn’t pick his feet up in that going.
“He bounced out of the barriers and took up a good position today. Rommel is siring plenty of winners and he’s in demand down at Santo’s new stud in Waroona.”
Storm Commander was a $130,000 buy at the 2020 Perth Magic Millions from Mogumber Park (as agent) for Guagliardo. His dam Girl in a Storm (Metal Storm) had completed a hat-trick at Ascot in 2006 and was sold off the track to Yarradale owner Ron Sayers.
Yarradale leased Girl In A Storm to Guagliardo and she was a first-crop cover for Rommel in 2017. Her half-brother Destino won a G3 Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic and their dam Genuine Girl (Is It True) won a LR Crystal Slipper Stakes at Ascot.
Girl In A Storm’s final foals are a 2yo colt by War Chant (USA) and a yearling filly by Rommel.
Parnham welcomes Snowdome back from a spell next week ahead of The Pinnacles at Ascot and a possible interstate campaign.
“He never gets really gross, so I’m not overly concerned with him putting on weight. He’s looked magnificent when I saw him at the farm and he’s just starting to mature into himself.
“The best is yet to come and I would like to take him east for the Sydney autumn carnival.”
Ridgeport Farm stands Rommel (Commands) for a $6,600 service fee (inc GST). For bookings or further information, please call Santo Guagliardo (0419 948 046) or Marge Ojapold (0497 478 231).
Desert Nymph with Michelle Hagley at Belmont. Photo / Western Racepix
Hoofnote: Rommel’s winning run continued at Belmont on Wednesday when his 4yo mare Desert Nymph scooted along the inside rail to score first-up in the Western Racepix Hcp (1000m). Desert Nymph is trained by Michelle Hagley and, like Storm Commander, was sold by Mogumber Park, on behalf of Guagliardo, for $16,000 at the 2020 Perth Magic Millions.
