Caporetto scored a milestone win for trainer Neville Parnham and his son Chris on Wednesday after never leaving the fence in the National Pump & Energy Maiden (1300m) at Belmont.
The Ridgeport Farm graduate notched the 200th win for the pair going back to 30 December 2012 when Fabulistic (Bletchley Park) landed a maiden at Bunbury. “I had him in the top three but wasn’t overly confident today,” Parnham snr said. “I bred him and I like him but he’s still a work in progress. He will keep developing and keep going up the ladder.”
Caporetto (Photo / Western Racepix) is by Ridgeport Farm sire Rommel from a 2021 crop that includes fellow city winners Battle Commander, Rainline, Desert Whisper and Horcrux. He was sold for $60,000 by Ridgeport Farm (as agent) at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions and is raced by a Parnham stable syndicate that includes Group 1 trainer Peter Hurdle.
New Zealand-born Hurdle crossed the Tasman more than once in 1990s with his team of Group 1 stayers to win a Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington with Aerosmith (Indian Ore) and a Geelong Cup (2400m) with Mr Brooker (Our Best Friend). The latter also ran third to Kingston Rule in the 1990 Melbourne Cup.
Caporetto’s dam Radiant Lady (Tickets) had been purchased by Parnham as a yearling for a bargain-priced $13,000 at the 2014 Adelaide Magic Millions. She won twice on the south-west provincial circuit and is now two-from-two at stud following the Justine Erkelens-trained Chop Suey (Safeguard) at Pinjarra in June.
Her third foal is a 2yo gelding named Radiant Light (Rommel) that was retained by Parnham and his wife Carol and the mare delivered a Rommel filly for them on October 1.
The Parnhams and Ridgeport owner Santo Guagliardo combine this Saturday with Bustler (Playing God) in the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot. He won it last year with 53kg and goes up 3kg from barrier 10. The last horse to make a successful Railway defence was Tudor Mak (Makapura) in 1966 and 1967. Luckygray (Bradbury’s Luck) won it in 2011 and 2013.
Jarrad Noske takes over on Bustler from regular rider Steven Parnham who elected to partner stablemate Zipaway. “Zipaway is on the limit so I guess that swayed his decision,” Parnham snr told The West Australian. “But I still believe Bustler has a winning weight at 56kg. His run in the Lee-Steere Stakes was super and he’s working the place down.”
Ridgeport Farm stands Rommel (Commands) for $6,600 alongside Ducimus (Snitzel) at $5,500. Both fees (inc GST). For bookings or more information, contact Marge Ojapold (0497 478 231), Grant Burns (0410 683 470), Steve Hoare (0409 987 970).
