Brad Parnham secures another feature win Perth Hyperion Stakes with Magnificent Andy

In-form hoop Brad Parnham secured another feature win in the $200,000 Group 3 PKF Perth Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Belmont courtesy of a perfectly executed ride aboard Magnificent Andy.

Magnificent Andy entered the event as a $13 TABtouch elect after finishing an unlucky fourth in the Belmont Sprint (1400m) a fortnight ago behind Western Empire, who started a hot $1.50 favourite in Saturday’s race.

Magnificent Andy was bustled up by Parnham through the early stages to maintain a position in the forward half, and critically kept Western Empire wide outside him.

While $21 hope Marocchino made the pace, Magnificent Andy sat four lengths from the lead, with Western Empire getting hemmed up in traffic outside him.

With 400m to travel, Parnham barged Magnificent Andy into the clear as Western Empire had to extricate from behind a retreating Startrade ($91) and Ginger Baker ($34).

Magnificent Andy sprinted powerfully down the outside, but Searchin’ Rocs ($7.50) and Let’s Galahvant ($51) both eased off the fence to issue challenges.

However, Magnificent Andy’s sustained speed came to the fore over the final 100m, edging out Let’s Galahvant by a head, with Searchin’ Rocs a further half-head away.

Western Empire loomed but couldn’t reel in the leaders, beaten three-quarters-of-a-length.

Trainer Stephen Miller credited the horse for his progression with age, saying the horse has continued to surprise.

“He’s a good little horse that is probably a little bit better than I originally thought,” Miller said.

“He’s just raised the bar and to do it at weight-for-age, especially over a mile, he toughs it out, he tries his best all the time, he’s a little ripper.”

Miller said it was time for the horse to have a spell, but had lofty targets in mind for coming preparations.

“It gives us a good look at the Railway,” Miller said.

“He’s had a super campaign and he’ll have a break now.

“Whether I take him on a little trip east, it depends, but to do what he’s done is amazing.”

Jockey Brad Parnham indebted himself to Miller for retaining Parnham as the gelding’s rider after Parnham rode Phanta in preference in The Joey.

“I was rapt to win the Hannans on him and I thought if he wasn’t to win another race, I would’ve been very happy with his career,” Parnham said.

“But he’s come back so much stronger and I got off him in The Joey and he surprised me that he got up and won.

“Thanks to S J (Miller), he put me straight back on him, and it’s taken a few rides to get a win on him since then but I’m just glad I could to repay the loyalty from him.”

Parnham said his confidence was high despite taking on an in-form Western Empire.

“I thought he was going to be hard to beat, but I couldn’t be too cocky with the odds-on favourite in the race,” Parnham said.

“But he got the right run today with the right flow and he did his best work late.”

Parnham said Magnificent Andy would be suited by the $1.5 million Railway Stakes (1600m), which will be run at Ascot on November 23.

The win completed a double for Parnham, who scored the previous race aboard Dance Boss at $6.50 for trainer Simon Miller.