Trainer Neville Parnham and his jockey-son Brad have made the Fairetha Stakes (1400m) a race of their own in recent years, the latest addition to their fine record in the Listed feature for three-year-olds is classy colt September Born who stamped his WA Guineas (1600m) credentials with a stylish victory.
September Born created a huge impression when winning on debut as a two-year-old in June and was desperately unlucky not to have returned a winner at his second lifetime start when he rattled home from a wide barrier to finish a close second to West Star in last fortnight's Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m).
Justifying $2.20 favouritism, Neville Parnham (Brad) had September Born parked midfield and was deep, but found cover, tracking Sir Dreamalot until he peeled out on the home turn and took total control of the race at the 100m mark.
Posting win number two from his third career start, September Born defeated Exceed The Planet by a half-length, the gelding, third in the Belgravia Stakes, ran another fine race when charging late to keep the winner honest over the concluding stages.
Olympic Park and Patron Express finished off their race well after coming home from the back of the field for third and fourth respectively.
Parnham, who has now trained the past three Fairetha Stakes winners, heaped praise on September Born and says he is on track to contest the WA Guineas (1600m) in two weeks' time.
"He's done a big job today (Saturday)," Parnham said.
"He drew the outside barrier and there was a time there I thought he was going to be out in the cheap seats.
"The good part about his win was when he was able to sort of track up into the corner without being asked and he let go.
"He's still got improvement and hopefully we will see him in a couple of weeks' time and hopefully get another Guineas.
"I think he will get the distance on his ear and maybe get more.
"I'm really happy with the result."
September Born, a son of boom sire, Playing God, could follow in the footsteps of his sister Kay Cee who ran second in the 2019 WA Guineas before claiming Group 1 hero status in the Northerly Stakes (1800m).
TABtouch has September Born $2.25 and clear-cut favourite in the WA Guineas, ahead of Olympic Park ($4) and Elite Missile ($9.50).
September Born joined Investmentstrategy (2024) and Bustler (2023) as Parnham's most recent Fairetha Stakes winners.
He also prepared Rantave (1992) and Royal Retrieve (2001).
Brad Parnham's Fairetha tally includes Investmentstrategy, Kallaroo (2021) and Saul's Special (2016).
Meanwhile Casino Seventeen sprung a surprise when he combined with William Pike to take out the Perth Racing Member Appreciation Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at double figure odds.
In a thriller, the Perth Cup champion, first up for Grant and Alana Williams, came from near last and got up in the last bound to defeat, Bustler and Magnificent Andy at $19.10.
Bustler was much improved second-up, finishing just ahead of the luckless, Magnificent Andy who lost a length at the start while Zipaway was solid for fourth.
Following her stout effort in the Eurythmic Stakes (1400m), Searchin' Roc's was again trapped in no man's land out wide, finishing fifth and 1.3 lengths from the winner.
Comfort Me and veteran galloper Valour Road, who were one-two for a long way, faded to third last and second last respectively.
Earlier, in the Luckygray Stakes (1800m), the cerise and white colours of Bob and Sandra Peters were to the fore once again following a well-timed victory by Diamond Scene.
The So You Think gelding, given a perfect steer from Steven Parnham, earned black type status for the first time, extending his record to seven wins from 14 starts.
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