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