He’s equal oldest and the most experienced horse in the race who’s been without a win in three years, but WA Hall Of Fame trainer Neville Parnham has high hopes Neufbosc can scale the heights of Perth Cup (2400m) glory for a second time on Monday.
Nine-year-old Neufbosc, a French-bred stayer, has not saluted the judge since fighting out a thrilling edition of the Perth Cup in 2021 when he defeated favourite Truly Great by a long-head in a result which had to be decided by a photo.
Neufbosc was originally bought as a Melbourne Cup prospective and started his career under the Lindsay Park operation, but failed to match the expectations of all concerned and was sent west to Parnham after coming up empty in his 12 Melbourne appearances.
Although the time frame between wins was bigger than anyone wanted, Parnham insists Neufbosc is showing great signs this campaign and if he bobs up to become a dual winner of the Perth Cup it will come as no surprise or shock to Perth's 14-time trainer's champion.
Last-start in the A.T.A. Stakes (2200m) Neufbosc ran fifth to Queen Alina, but parked on the fence he couldn’t build any momentum in a sit and sprint affair that wasn’t to his liking.
The run before in the Towton Cup (2200m) he was poised to go past the pacesetter in the straight, but he just peaked on his run to finish third behind all the way winner, Black Fantasy.
After a solid few weeks of preparation, Parnham says if Neufbosc can translate his work on the track to race day he will be making his presence felt in the Perth Cup.
“The horse is actually going really good,” Parnham said on Tabradio.
“His last four or five runs have been full of merit.
“Things didn’t quite go his way last start, he got stuck in on the fence and didn’t get a chance to wind up, which is not his style.
“He’s quite a good stayer and the 2400m is certainly not going to worry him.
“His trackwork this morning (Thursday) would indicate he’s going as well as ever.
“He had a good gallop and it was the best he’s worked leading into his last couple of runs.
“This is the best I’ve had him for over a year.
“He’s sound, he’s happy and I expect him to give a very forward showing.”
Neufbosc has drawn barrier three and will be ridden by experienced jockey, Jason Brown.
Parnham and Brown unite again for a Perth Cup tilt, just over two decades since combining with Lunar Tudor (2000).
Parnham says he expects Neufbosc to go forward from his low draw and be in the first five or six runners.
“The barrier certainly helps his cause, he can bounce out and sit behind the leading group,” Parnham said.
“Hopefully he gets a better flow into it because I know he will be strong to the line.”
Parnham, a two-time Perth Cup champion after Luna Tudor and Neufbosc, will also saddle up Demolish.
He says it's maybe a year too early for the four-year-old because of maturity, but he is in form and it’s a $1 million race.
Demolish won at 2200m two starts back and in the A.T.A. Stakes he got a long way back from a wide draw before finishing off strongly for seventh in race fastest final 600m.
Placed in six black-type races, Demolish will jump from barrier four and be ridden by Laqdar Ramoly.
Neufbosc, who is $26 with Tabtouch and Demolish, $20, carry 53kg respectively.
Julio Santarelli