Fulgur has yet to strike his best form since joining Neville Parnham’s stable but there were signs of better things ahead for the former international galloper when he ran a top second in the Listed G.A.Towton Cup (2100m) at Ascot last fortnight
After being soundly beaten at his opening two starts for Parnham the eight-year-old son of High Chaparral produced his best run in Perth when he rattled home from near last on a heavy track, clocking the fastest final 600m behind Dust Me Off.
Fulgur, who made his racing debut in England for Luca Cumani in 2010 before transferring to Australia under the guidance of Chris Waller at the end of 2012, may have finally have shaken off an injury curse that has plagued his time in Perth.
On a path towards the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) on January 2, the bay gelding, who has won five races from 42 starts including three in a row for Waller, trod on a nail and had two bouts of surgery for a chipped bone and colic.
It’s a welcome change of fortune for Fulger who can press his claims for the Perth Cup when he meets a capacity field of 16 in the A.T.A Stakes (2100m) at Ascot on Wednesday. Jockey Steven Parnham retains the ride.
“It’s interesting to see how he goes,” said Parnham (Steven) on TABradio.
“His run was really good the other day and you could say it was the distance that suited him or the wet track, I’m not sure.
“His run was as good as we could have hoped for and he seems to be coming into shape at the right time heading towards the Perth Cup.
“His form on the east coast prior to coming here was really good and you would hold him in high regard in these sorts of races.
“His work since his last run has been good and if he can reproduce that performance again he should be fighting out the finish.”
Fulgur, to carry 56.5kg for Parnham, will start from barrier nine.
Meanwhile Colin Webster says Properantes has continued to thrive since his impressive victory over Bedamijo at Ascot on December.
The promising four-year-old attacked the line strongly, his first at 2200m, boosting his claims for a tilt at the Perth Cup.
“He has done everything right since his last run and I’m very happy with him,” Webster said.
“He has certainly gone onwards and hasn’t gone backwards.
“He is very bright within himself and I’m very happy with his work.
“I would expect him to improve on his first-up run over the trip.”
Properantes, a Listed winner of the Raconteur Stakes (1500m) earlier in March, drops 2.5kg on his previous run.
He will be ridden by Troy Turner, who has partnered the gelding in five of his six career wins.
Properantes and Turner combine from barrier 11 in the A.T.A Stakes.
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