Platoon Marching To WA Guineas
12 November, 2018
Thoroughbred
Neville Parnham and the WA Guineas (1600m) are no strange bedfellows.
The Hall Of Fame trainer has won the prestigious race three times previously.
His name is etched on the WA Guineas honour roll after wins to Royal Retrieve (2001), Playing God (2010) and Rommel (2014).
And after Saturday’s Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m), he believes he is in with a red-hot chance of securing a fourth victory.
Platoon may have finished fifth to The Velvet King in the Fairetha Stakes, but his flashing run out wide has left a strong impression.
The Playing God colt had to go back from a wide draw, but charged home to be within 3 ½ lengths of the winner in the quickest final 600m.
Parnham says the WA Guineas has been Platoon’s target after winning first-up at Northam and running second to Arcadia Queen at Ascot.
“That’s the way I wanted him to finish (Fairetha Stakes) and he will be spot on for the Guineas,” Parnham told TABradio.
“He pulled up with a heart rate of 99 and I am strong of the view that he is going to get over more ground.
“I have no doubts that he will end up as a WA Derby (2400m) prospect next year.
“At the moment I couldn’t be happier with him and I wouldn’t be swapping him with anything else in the race.
“I know how fit he will be in two weeks’ time and with a bit of luck with the gate I’m confident he will be in the finish.
“This is the race that I am targeting.”
TABtouch has reacted to Platoon’s eye-catching performance in the Fairetha Stakes, firming his quote from $21 to $11 for the WA Guineas.
Arcadia Queen is the $5 market leader.
Meanwhile Parnham says he is thankful he had a change of heart after Jeraft extended his winning form in the York Cup (1500m) on Sunday.
Posting his third straight win this campaign, the son of Hal Bek fought back after Like A Butterfly ranged up in the straight and scored by a long-head.
“I was in two minds taking him to York because it can be a tricky course for some horses,” Parnham said.
“But he adapted and handled it really well. He is a classy horse who is doing well this campaign.
“His career record is looking pretty good and I might even back him up again on Saturday.”
Julio Santarelli