1-CHRIS PARNHAM
Take a bow Chris Parnham. National Jockey champion after 201 wins, his first G1 triumph with Truly Great in the Kingston Town Classic (1800m), a G2 Perth Cup that he shared with his trainer-father Neville Parnham after Neufbosc scored and a further four wins at G3 and eight at Listed level. And for the first time in years a new name aside from Paul Harvey and William Pike sits atop the WA Jockey’s premiership table. A stellar 2020-21 season and one that he should be proud of.
2-BRUCE HYDE
Veteran trainer Bruce Hyde was back in the metropolitan winner’s list for nearly a decade when recent stable pick-up Looks Like Magic proved superior in a 1200m handicap. She circled the small field of six from last to cut down the lead of Ohbeeh for jockey Shaun O’Donnell. Hyde’s previous win in town came in 2012 when Friar’s Tuck defeated Dubai Escapade over 1600m at Belmont, coincidentally also ridden by O’Donnell.
3-THE SPRUIKER
Does Steve Wolfe have to reset his expectations on The Spruiker? The I’m All The Talk three-year-old ended a brilliant winter campaign undefeated after posting five straight when rising to 1600m for the first time. Wolfe had planned on bypassing the upcoming spring and summer with the gelding, but said he might have a change of plans and target the Fitzpatrick Plate and Mt Barker Sprint early in the new year.
4-STEVE WOLFE
The Spruiker rounded out a season best for veteran Albany-based Wolfe. He might be in the twilight years as a trainer, but on results from the past 12-months there are no signs he and his hard-working stable are slowing down. His pinnacle results took in Perth’s richest race for two-year-olds after Ex Sport Man won the Karrakatta Plate (1200m) and a feature three-year-old double with Watch Me Dance victorious in the WA Guineas (1600m) and Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) respectively.
5-ANNE KING
With her stable experiencing a quiet patch, King expressed personal doubt, but she never underestimated the courage and toughness of Blazing Billy who capped an encouraging return to racing to nail Strathmore Rose by a short-head. First up off a good trial, the Session gelding is lucky to be alive let alone racing after fighting back from a near-death colic attack.
6-ADAM DURRANT/LAQDAR RAMOLY
Treasured Crown was the icing on the cake for Durrant after another leading Perth season. After 67 wins he clinches his eighth title from the past 11 years. The G3 Roma Cup (1200m) with Money Matters the apex of the year. Popular Mauritian-born Ramoly won Leading Apprentice, two years after making the move to Perth to further his craft.
7-SEARCHIN ROC’S
The Awesome Rock filly ends an impressive maiden campaign with a winning hatrick after she shook off Toppa The Mountain and then kicked back when Fine Romance challenged hard on the inside. Trainer David Harrison believes she has the makings of a good horse and will put her out before coming back and looking at a race like the Champion Fillies (1600m) at the Ascot carnival.
Julio Santarelli