Reigning WA Guineas winner Zipaway is set to stamp himself as a key Pinnacles contender in this Saturday’s Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m), according to jockey Steven Parnham.
Zipaway is set to have his first start in Perth this weekend since he finished third in last year’s Northerly Stakes (1800m).
The four-year-old is a $13 chance with TABtouch for the $1.5 million Railway Stakes (1600m), a race Steven Parnham won last year with Bustler.
Parnham said Zipaway was showing positive signs early in his Railway Stakes preparation.
“He’s coming along well through his preparation,” Parnham told TABradio.
“He’s had two trials leading up to his first run on Saturday.
“His main piece of work was last Saturday on the grass behind Snowdome, and he did another easier gallop this morning.
“He’s got a lot stronger and mature than he was back in his three-year-old campaign.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do on the racetrack.”
Zipaway will be out to join the likes of Luckygray, Galaxy Star, Inspirational Girl and Western Empire to win the Railway Stakes and go on to win the Railway Stakes during the Pinnacles.
The gelding drew barrier eight for the feature when nominations came out this afternoon, right alongside in-form mare Super Smink.
Parnham is set to be forced to make a difficult decision on who to ride in the Railway Stakes, given Bustler is set to head to the feature mile event again.
Parnham said he would wait until after Saturday week’s Lee Steere Stakes (1400m), Bustler’s second-up run for the campaign, before he committed to a Railway Stakes ride.
“I’ve got a ride on him (Zipaway) Saturday and Bustler in the Lee Steere,” he said.
“I’ve still got a little bit of time to come to that decision.
“I still change my mind every second which one I want to ride in the Railway.”
Meanwhile, Everest runner I Am Me is a chance to make her way to Perth for next month’s Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
Dynamic Syndications’ Adam Watt said the mare would line up in Saturday’s Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) and indicated she could make her way to Perth for the feature sprint.
