Ellicazoom Primed First-Up Says Parnham
Neville Parnham believes Ellicazoom is primed to play a major role-in the Woodford Reserve-Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (1200m) at Pinjarra, despite an awkward barrier.
Saturday’s $125,000 Magic Millions feature is the launching pad for Ellicazoom with Parnham mapping out a Melbourne campaign for the daughter of Testa Rossa.
The talented three-year-old signalled she was a horse with a big future in front of her after coming off tremendous form at the Ascot summer carnival last year.
Ellicazoom posted a signature victory in the Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) and ran a luckless second to Samovare in the Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m).
She was on the end of some severe interference at the 1400m mark and lost several lengths before attacking the line strongly in the home straight.
The classy filly ended her summer campaign against the boys in the WA Guineas (1600m) and lost no admirers when runner-up to Variation.
Ellicazoom, who has two wins and two second placings from six career starts and banked over $200,000 in prizemoney, is ready to launch her first up assault after a sound third to Great Shot in a 1000m Belmont trial on Monday.
“She was taking ground off them and Steve (Parnham) said he had a fair bit up his sleeve and that is a good sign going forward,” Parnham told Tabradio’s The Sports Daily.
“There are a few more seasoned horses and any race is hard to win, but she is definitely forward enough.
“I would like to think at the weights she will be too smart for them.”
Parnham, who will also saddle Jazari and Next Generation, believes Enchanted Dream, a Patronize filly trained at Lark Hill by Ben Pearce, poses the biggest threat to Ellicazoom.
Enchanted Dream is chasing a winning hat trick after recording back-to-back wins over 1300m and 1400m respectively at Pinjarra in January.
“Enchanted Dream potentially looks a nice horse and I think it has a bit of a future,” Parnham said.
“I saw her runs at Pinjarra and she has the experience and the form.”
In a field of 11 starters Ellicazoom will start from the extreme outside gate. Stephen Parnham retains the ride.
Enchanted Dream will be ridden by Jarrad Noske from barrier eight.
Parnham said Jazari is an immature horse but could come into consideration on a soft track.
Julio Santarelli
