It was an agonising decision to make, but experienced jockey Steven Parnham hopes he’s made the right call and selected wisely.
Parnham has chosen Zipaway as his Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) mount instead of Bustler, who he partnered to victory in last year's race.
Breaking ties with Bustler was hard for Parnham who has formed a sentimental attachment with the son of Playing God.
Parnham has ridden Bustler in 18 of 20 career starts, including six of seven wins, with the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m) and Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) additional highlights outside the Railway Stakes.
Bustler and Zipaway, both handled by Parnham’s trainer-father, Neville, clashed in last Saturday week’s traditional lead-up race: the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m), but the gun jockey said what swayed his decision was historical weight factors and not race form.
Bustler, with Parnham, finished runner-up to Casino Seventeen in the Lee Steere Stakes, a much-improved effort second-up, while Zipaway, ridden by Laqdar Ramoly, arguably could have gone closer than fourth after racing tight along the fence when 1.2 lengths from the fast-finishing winner.
Zipway has been allocated 53 kg in the Railway Stakes, the minimum weight and a 3kg less than Bustler, to be ridden by Jarrad Noske, who has 56kg, the equal second top weight behind Bjorn Baker’s interstate raider Belclare (57.5kg).
Arriving at his call, Parnham pushed hard on the shoulders of Railway Stakes history with eight of the past 10 champions of Perth’s famous mile race, including the last six years consecutively, have carried 53kg in their respective wins.
Parnham said weight ultimately swung the pendulum Zipaway’s way.
“It was always going to be difficult to pick between two very good horse,” Parnham said to Racing WA.
“The reality is I can only ride one horse and I went with Zipaway based on a couple of factors.
“Mostly it’s the weight being a handicap and the 3kg between them.
“That was the biggest deciding factor, the weight difference between them.
“Their lead-up runs were both excellent and since they’ve raced both horses have come on very well.
“I couldn’t find a negative to pick out of any horse, I’ve gone back to what I’ve initially thought.
“Over the years the Railway has favoured horses that are able to get in on the minimum.
“Zipaway fitted that, but it hurts to get off Bustler because he’s been a great horse to me.
“He was the winner of this race last year that gave me so much joy on the day.
“In terms of their performances there is little to pick between them.
“It’s exciting to go into a Railway with a leading chance.”
Parnham has ridden Zipaway all three of his wins including the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) a year back.
The Playing God gelding campaigned in Melbourne in the autumn and was competitive with placings in two Group races.
Ahead of Tuesday’s barrier draw, Zipaway and Victorian gelding, Light Infantry Man share $5 Tabtouch favouritism for the Railway.
Bustler is $16.
Julio Santarelli