It's Parnham, Parnham, and Playing God Again in the Railway Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday November 25

What an incredible forty minutes for legendary trainer Neville Parnham, his son Steven, and Darling View Thoroughbreds outstanding stallion, Playing God.

Days don't come much better (image Western Racepix)

After the trio combined to capture the $500,000 WA Guineas with Zipaway, they were in play again when the 4-year-old gelding Bustler claimed one of the few jewels to allude all of them, the $1,500,000 Group 1 Furphy - Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot.

Under an inspired ride by Steven Parnham, Bustler held the admirably consistent Star Turn mare Alsephina to a length with Shooting To Win gelding  Dom To Shoot a long neck back in third.

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On this day twelve months ago, Bustler finished second to the star filly Amelia’s Jewel in the WA Guineas.

Among the best of his age at two and three, Bustler advances his record to seven wins, a second, and a third from 11 starts with earnings of $1,554,650.

“It’s a big thrill to win this time-honoured race. We’ve had a few cracks and come up short, but I thought we had the right horse,” Neville Parnham said.

“I don’t give Steve instructions, I don’t give any of the boys instructions; they ride a bit better than I used to.

“Steve always turns up on the big days. I said to have him forward and let it unfold.

Memorable day for father and son (image Western Racepix)

"I was rapt when he jumped clean; there was a fair bit of speed coming across. The winning move was down the back when he came up three-deep."

“Santo (Guagliardo) (owner) is a great supporter of the stable, this is the pinnacle, and he has been well-rewarded.”

Purchased by Ruby Racing & Breeding $32,500 at the 2020 Magic Millions Mungrup Stud Complete Dispersal Online Sale, Bustler made $130,000 to the bid of Ridgeport Holdings when offered by Ruby Racing & Breeding to the 2021 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

Great day for the stable (image Western Racepix)

In a remarkable coincidence, the son of Playing God is a half-brother to A Lot Of Good Men, whom Zipaway had just defeated in the WA Guineas.

Scarborough Investments purchased his dam, the Oratorio (AUS) mare Cosmah Domination, for $7,500 at the Mungrup Stud Complete Dispersal.

Parnham Racing Stables/Ridgeport Holdings returned to the 2023 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale to purchase Cosmah Domination’s Maschino filly for $235,000.

Bustler a $130,000 Perth Magic Millions yearling

Cosmah Domination has a yearling sister to Bustler and revisited Playing God last spring.

Bustler is the second Group 1 winner for Darling View Thoroughbreds Playing God, who is by some way the most expensive stallion in the state at $33,000.  

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Race Result - Furphy - Railway Stakes Gr1 1600m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 1:34.80
1
Bustler
- 4g Playing God (AUS) x Cosmah Domination (AUS) (Oratorio (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: S Parnham 53
2
1
Alsephina
- 5m Star Turn (AUS) x Delta Gee (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 53
Star Turn
3
1.4
Dom To Shoot
- 6g Shooting To Win (AUS) x Princess Rouge (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: S & J Casey Rdr: Jordan Turner 54
4
2.2
Trix Of The Trade
- 5g Trade Fair (GB) x My Name's Trixie (AUS) (Passenger (AUS))
Tnr: C H Webster Rdr: T Turner 54
5
2.3
Mojo Rhythm
- 5g Playing God (AUS) x Saddle Me Up (AUS) (Grey Swallow (IRE))
Tnr: Mitchell Pateman Rdr: Holly Watson 53
6
3.1
Massimo
- 7g Sessions (AUS) x Highest (AUS) (Marscay (AUS))
Tnr: C & M Gangemi Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 53
7
3.1
Comfort Me
- 7g Playing God (AUS) x Southern Comfort (AUS) (Comfy (USA))
Tnr: Rhys Radford Rdr: P Knuckey 54
8
3.2
Marocchino
- 7g Maschino (AUS) x Comesitbesideme (AUS) (Mcflirt (NZ))
Tnr: L P Luciani Rdr: Chris Parnham 57
9
4.2
The Velvet Queen
- 5m Universal Ruler (AUS) x Doubleblack Velvet (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: D T McAuliffe Rdr: P Carbery 53
10
4.7
Roots
- 5m Press Statement (AUS) x Arctic Success (AUS) (Big Brown (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 54
11
4.7
Searchin' Roc's
- 5m Awesome Rock (AUS) x Still Searchin' (AUS) (Trade Fair (GB))
Tnr: J P Taylor Rdr: J Brown 53
12
4.7
Tuvalu
- 6g Kermadec (NZ) x Hangin' Tough (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: Jamie Kah 58
13
4.9
Startrade
- 7g Trade Fair (GB) x Startego (AUS) (Star Pak (AUS))
Tnr: D L Morton Rdr: C Nicoll 53
14
6.5
Forgot You
- 5h Savabeel (AUS) x Simply You (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Moor 53
15
9.1
Last Of The Line
- 7g Blackfriars (AUS) x Catch The Cat (AUS) (Royal Abjar (USA))
Tnr: S J Miller Rdr: B Parnham 53
16
26.8
Karli's Karma
- 6m Deep Field (AUS) x Sravana (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: Summer Dickson Rdr: Michael Poy 53
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