Following Strideaway’s impressive return win at Ascot on Saturday trainer Neville Parnham’s thoughts turned to a race that to this point in time has eluded his grasp.
There are not too many races that the WA Hall Of Fame legend hasn’t won in his celebrated training career, but the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) fits into that category.
Parnham has gone close on a couple of occasions and is searching to gone one better after Rommel and Light Up The Sky finished runner up in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
Parnham’s 2025 Magic Millions plight rests with Strideaway who showed she was on song to end Parnham’s hoodoo with victory in the MCA Polytrack Plate (1100m) at Ascot on Saturday.
The daughter of Alabama Express powered home after being sixth at the turn and scored her second win from four starts with a ¾ length margin over Do I Feel Lucky.
Parnham said Strideaway made a top return and believes she is more than capable of ending his Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic hoodoo at Pinjarra on February 15.
“She’s quite a nice filly and tall for a baby,” Parnham said.
“She has some filling out to do and the best is yet to come.
“Natural ability wise she’s looking on track for the Magic Millions in a couple of weeks’ time.
“She’s still learning her trade like all young horses, but I think there is just a lot of natural talent in the horse.”
Strideaway, who justified favouritism on the weekend, was partnered by regular jockey, Laqdar Ramoly, who has been with the filly since her first appearance last October.
Parnham said Ramoly’s feedback on Strideaway is identical to his.
“Lucky (Laqdar) has done pretty much most of the work on the horse all the way through,” Parnham said.
“He won’t let anyone else get on her and has been giving me some very good feedback.
“He thinks she’s a very talented horse and hopefully he can be proven right in coming weeks.”
Julio Santarelli