Top jockey Brad Parnham has secured a top Perth Cup (2400m) mount on interstate raider Numerian in Monday’s $1 million Group 2 race at Ascot.
Trainer Annabel Neasham booked Brad Parnham to replace Clint Johnston-Porter who rode Numerian to a breakthrough victory in last Saturday’s Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m).
Placed in two Group ones, Numerian’s win on debut in Perth came 17-months after his previous victory in the Sky Racing Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm in 2022.
Parnham, who was in the running to ride Demolish in the Perth Cup for his trainer-father, Neville Parnham and Holy Enchantment for Stephen Miller, said Numerian was too good an opportunity to knock back.
“It will be a very good ride in the race and I’m happy about it,” Parnham said to The Races WA.
“I sort of loosely had told dad that I would be sweet for Demolish and I suppose even Holy Enchantment was another one I might have had.
“But when I got asked to ride this horse it obviously just won the Ted Van Heemst and looks the class horse of the race.
“You have to take the most of those opportunities when they come.”
Numerian sat back off the speed set by Marocchino and Zoumon before charging home with an impressive turn of foot carrying 59kg under weight-for-age conditions in the Ted Van Heemst.
Numerian, an eight-year-old, got the better of runner-up Marocchino in the last 50m with Casino Seventeen running a sound Perth Cup trial when placed third.
Numerian carries the 59kg top-weight in the Perth Cup with Casino Seventeen, to be ridden by champion hoop William Pike and a member of Grant and Alana Williams’ powerful team, to carry the 53kg minimum handicap, 6kg less than the Ted Van Heemst.
“Obviously handicap conditions is going to be a little bit different carrying weight,” Parnham said.
“It is going to be a test carrying 59kg, but like I said he is the class horse of the race.
‘It’s a good horse and hopefully can go around and be good enough to get the job done.
“He’s going good anyhow.”
The Perth Cup draw will conducted at Ascot on Wednesday morning.
Parnham is hoping for a positive starting gate to alleviate lumping 59kg.
“Ideally we would like to get a nice low draw,” Parnham said.
“If we can do it as cheap as we can early we can finish off late.
“Gai’s horse (Zoumon) you would think the speed will be pretty solid.
“If the speed is on it will be a true stayers test and that will help.”
Casino Seventeen holds $3.40 market lead with Boombet.
Numerian is on the second line at $4 with online betting apps.
Delicacy was the previous horse to win the Perth Cup with 59kg in 2016.
Parnham won his first Perth Cup on Guest Wing in 2011.