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Neville Parnham has won his third Kingston Town Classic with filly Kay Cee taking out the $1million weight-for-age feature.
Kay Cee was given a dream run from barrier 1 by jockey Steven Parnham who positioned the three-year-old fifth on the fence behind leader Gailo Chop.
While Gailo Chop kicked hard on straightening, Kay Cee was too strong late, finding the front inside the 50m.
The win gave trainer Neville Parnham his third Kingston Town Classic after Kay Cee’s sire Playing God won the weight for age feature in both 2010 and 2011.
“It was a very big thrill today to win with a horse I think a lot of,” Parnham said. “Secondly, she’s by Playing God who I won the race with a couple of times.”
“I was really confident, especially when I could see Gailo Chop in front. Coming off that bend the first time around here they can drift a little. I could see Willie (Tuscan Queen) make his run but then it just seemed to stop, it didn’t go anywhere, she didn’t take off. Steve just kept picking away and when he got the inside run it was fantastic.”
While Neville Parnham celebrated his third Kingston Town Classic success, son Steven Parnham now has four to his name and on Saturday tied Paul Harvey for the most Kingston Town victories by a jockey.
“It is the best feeling I have ever had on the racetrack,” Steven Parnham said.
“I have worked so hard. It is probably the biggest challenge I have ever had in racing, to get my weight down - physically and mentally. It has just paid off today and I am really happy.”
“I just watched it unfold and Gailo Chop gave me a really good flow into the race. It was perfect.
“She is as tough as they come, I tell you. She has just improved. She is just a marvel.”
Kay Cee being sired by Playing God was also a sentiment not lost on Steven Parnham who partnered the sire in each of his Kingston Town Classic triumphs.
“It just adds to it,” Parnham said.
“I can’t believe it really. Playing God was my first Group 1 but to now win the same race on his progeny is unbelievable to be honest. I am so happy.”