Neufbosc wins Perth Cup

Young WA jockey Chris Parnham's golden racing season has continued, riding Neufbosc to a thrilling victory in the 2021 Perth Cup at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday.

The french bred stayer failed to win a race in Melbourne from twelve starts but has since turned that form around winning three of his last five starts at Ascot including the feature staying event on the Perth summer racing calendar.

In a thrilling conclusion Neufbosc saw off Truly Great by a nose, the 2400 m race winner determined by a photo.

Truly Great headed in to the race as favourite with Willie Pike on board, having won both the Ted Van Heemst Stakes and Kingston Town Stakes last month.

Despite drawing a wide barrier the five year old gelding came flying home, just unable to pip Neufbosc on the line.

The race was held in warm conditions at Ascot, temperatures exceeding 30 degrees on the first Saturday of racing for the new year, controversy threatening to overshadow the Perth Cup itself with thousands of spectators turned away from the premier Perth racing event due to a crowd limit of 10,000 in line with covid restrictions.

The capacity was reached by 1PM, meaning many fans failed to see the race at all with several altercations breaking out outside of the racecourse venue.

IMAGE: TAB Touch.