Strait to the Winner’s Circle

A change of stable and state led to the biggest win in the career of Bass Strait (NZ) (Holy Roman Emperor) with victory in the Group 3 A$150,000 R.J. Peters Handicap (1500m) at Ascot Racecourse in Perth on Saturday.

Formerly trained in Victoria by David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Bass Strait won three races and was placed in the Group 3 David Jones Cup last spring.

Now trained in Perth by Neville Parnham, Bass Strait was fifth in his first start for the stable at the beginning of November before Saturday’s impressive victory.

“It was a pretty good win,” commented Parnham. “He is a new acquisition to the stable and I thought his effort was pretty promising.

“He finished a length off Fiorente 12 months ago and he went on to win a Melbourne Cup so the form was going to be strong. We thought he could get into a race like the Railway and it has worked out.”

Starting from barrier five for apprentice rider Chris Parnham, Bass Strait enjoyed an economical run in fourth position for most of the race.

When presented in the straight Bass Strait dashed to the front and proved too good for his rivals to record victory by half-a-length.

“Chris put him in a beautiful spot and everything went to plan. He will run in the Railway Stakes on Saturday. We are pretty happy in our purchase in the fact that we now have a runner in a million dollar race.”

Saturday’s victory was Bass Strait’s fourth win from 25 starts and has accumulated A$297,230 in prizemoney. The son of Holy Roman Emperor is currently owned by Mr N D Parnham, Mrs C A Parnham, Mr M A Pilkington, Mr R C Pearson, Mr B E Williamson, Seymour Bloodstock, Mr P H Sheridan, Mr R A Cowcher, Mr M C R Oldham, Mr B E Hutcheson, Mr T G Nitschke & Mr M Pilkington.

Adrian Nicoll of BBA Ireland purchased Bass Strait for NZ$220,000 from the 2011 Karaka Premier Sale from Pencarrow Stud.

Bred by Laurie Laxon, Sir Peter Vela and Philip Vela, Bass Strait is out of winning Zabeel mare Crystalline, a daughter of Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Clear Rose.