Neville Parnham expects big improvement from Bridgestone and cautions punters not to dismiss his prospects in the Group 3 Strickland Stakes (2000m) at Belmont on Saturday.
The Pentire gelding, closing in on half-a-million dollars in stake earnings, returned from a year-long absence to trail Elite Belle in last Saturday week’s Hyperion Stakes (1600m).
“He will give them a real good sight,” said Parnham on Tab Radio.
“His work on Tuesday indicated he had improved dramatically on his first up run which I thought was a pretty sound effort.
“He didn’t finish far from them and hadn’t raced for a long time.
“I can only tell you he has come forward and will strip a lot fitter.
“We know he has the class and could be a good ride for Steve.”
Steven Parnham resumes at Belmont after suffering severe bruising in a sickening race fall at Pinjarra earlier this month.
He replaces brother, Brad, who has stuck with Fancy feet and is on the back-up after going down narrowly to Operational last week.
Younger sibling, Chris, retains the mount on Grand Nirvana who showed improved form when third to Elite Belle in the Hyperion.
Tab Touch has Bridgestone at $9, with Grand Nirvana and Fancy Feet at $7 and $7.50 respectively.
Ranger, a narrow second to Elite Belle in the Hyperion and who is chasing his first win in 966 days, is the $2.75 favourite.
Neville and Steven Parnham are searching for their second Strickland Stakes success after they combined with God Has Spoken in 2011.
The leading trainer is super confident his Not A Single Doubt three-year-old Crown Layer can turn the tables on Sujet in the Westspeed Handicap (1300m).
The pair clashed on June 14 with Sujet taking the honours handsomely, defeating Arcadia Rose by two lengths with Crown Lawyer close behind in third place.
“He was quite unlucky and didn’t get a clear crack at them,” Parnham said.
“I think you will find a much-improved horse on Saturday.
“If he doesn’t win he will run second.”
Sujet, chasing a winning hatrick, is the hot $1.75 favourite.
Mad Brad and Crown Lawyer are the only other runners under double figures at $5.50 and $9 respectively.