Man Crush rewarded for recent form in Nicopolis Stakes courtesy of shrewd Parnham steer

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Man Crush rewarded for recent form in Nicopolis Stakes courtesy of shrewd Parnham steer

Fleet-footed five-year-old Man Crush landed a deserved win in Saturday’s $100,000 Nicopolis Stakes (1200m) at Belmont, breaking a string of feature race placings.

Man Crush had run second in both the Beaufine Stakes and H G Bolton Sprint before a last start third in the Belmont Newmarket.

On the strength of his recent form and finally drawing barrier one, he was backed in as the $4 TABtouch second pick, though not as heavily tried as race favourite Frigid, who had been supported into $2.70 after reaching a high of $4.40.

With his usual spring-heeled start, Man Crush was spurred to an early lead by jockey Chris Parnham but soon taken on by Phanta ($17), who zapped across in the hands of Parnham’s brother Brad to tackle for the lead.

Chris, recognising a prolonged speed duel could occur, lost the initial battle in an attempt to win the war by letting Phanta stride to the front and sitting Man Crush in second place.

However, Man Crush now had Frigid as his grey shadow in third place as the returning WA galloper, who had campaigned in Victoria in recent seasons, edged up to be within two-and-a-half lengths of the lead.

With 500m to go, Chris Parnham slid Man Crush away from the rail to move in pursuit of Phanta and eased Frigid three-wide in the process.

Camera IconMan Crush wins the Nicopolis Stakes with Chris Parnham aboard. Credit: Sharyn Walker/Sharyn Walker / Western Racepix

However, by the 350m, Man Crush was travelling comfortably and had already eked more than a length in front of an under-pressure Frigid and set after Phanta.

Though Phanta responded heartily, Man Crush was breathing down his neck with 200m left and had drawn a neck clear by the 100m mark.

Kept going by his hoop, Man Crush forged away over the concluding stages to win by more than a length from the fizzy Phanta, with Frigid fighting courageously up the straight to be beaten just three lengths.

The win sent the gelding’s earnings above $675,000 after being purchased as a yearling for just $45,000.

It was a second success on the afternoon for trainer Luke Fernie after Stop Dreaming won the 2100m staying event with Patrick Carbery in the saddle and validated ambitions of clinching a Kalgoorlie Cup with the six-year-old.

Brian Carey, representing the Luke Fernie yard, said Man Crush would now press on to the Hannans Handicap at Kalgoorlie on October 2.

“He’s been racing really well and ready to win,” Carey said.

“I thought it was all over once they’d straightened up.”

The victory brought up a treble for Chris Parnham after guiding home Perfect Chant and Bondi Plunge for earlier successes, with the jockey saying a rise in distance would be no object for the in-form son of Manhattan Rain.

“He was well suited in today’s race – it was a bit down in grade from his other starts this preparation,” Parnham said.

“I didn’t expect to be out-sped for the lead by Brad, but I didn’t want to get involved in a speed battle.

“He’s so tough and that got him over the line. I actually think horses like him are better off when there’s a genuine tempo like today.”

“I think he’ll run out 1400m no worries at all.”

Of rival riders, Clint Johnston-Porter rode an each-way double for co-trainers Grant and Alana Williams when sending home both Trio and Buckets Ridge to salute.

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