Bridgestone Lays Down WA Derby Challenge
30 March 2010
The rising Neville Parnham-trained star Bridgestone produced an impressive A$500,000 Group 1 WATC Derby trial on Saturday at Ascot, winning the Listed WATC Schweppes JC Roberts Stakes (1800m).
With Brad Parnham in the saddle, Bridgestone (Pentire x Golden Dawn by Gold Brose) ran on from behind mid-field to win by a half-length and defeat stable-mate God Has Spoken (Blackfriars).
Parnham commented today on his charge's recovery from the race "I'm really pleased with the way Bridgestone's pulled up. He's a nice type that's always shown he's had above average ability and is a relatively easy horse to train."
Looking to add to the colt's A$238,375 in prize-money the 12 time premiership winner said he'd next start in the Listed Melvista Stakes (2200m) at Ascot on 10 April before his grand final, the Derby on 24 April.
Stakes-placed as a juvenile last April the well-built youngster now has four wins and three placings to his credit from 12 starts.
West Australian agent, and regular buyer at Karaka, John Chalmers purchased Bridgestone at the 2008 Karaka Premier Sale for $200,000 from Curraghmore Stud.
Such is Parnham's faith in the stock of Pentire, he purchased two more colts by the Rich Hill Stud sire through Chalmers at the recent Karaka Premier Sale. "All our Karaka horses came straight over to Perth and have since been broken in. They've handled the process really well and have now headed out to the paddock for a spell."
Last year's winner of the WATC Derby Markus Maximus, is also by Pentire, and a Karaka purchase, with Victorian trainer Peter Moody securing him for $60,000 from Waikato Stud.
Bridgestone's win provides an update for Lot 121 in NZB's National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale catalogue with the grey filly by Any Suggestion being from a half-sister to Golden Dawn.