Chris Parnham has been riding winners in Victoria for several months, but few victories have been as special as Saturday’s win aboard San Amaro at Flemington.
The Colin and Cindy Alderson-trained gelding’s win in the $80,000 Heather Howes Handicap (1400m) was Parnham’s first at the home of the Emirates Melbourne Cup.
The Western Australian, who did not have his first ride in Victoria until December and didn’t take up a permanent position there until the following month, has now ridden winners at all four Melbourne venues.
“It’s good to get my first winner here at Flemington,” he said. “It’s a big thrill.”
“It’s the headquarters of Australian racing and I’m glad I can go home and say I’ve had a winner at Flemington.”
San Amaro’s win was Parnham’s 25th from 225 rides in Victoria and the 181st in a career that did not start until the 2012/13 season.
The 18-year-old turned in a fine performance to get Sam Amaro, a son of Henrythenavigator, home to the third win of his eight-start career.
Parnham settled him towards the rear before charging through towards the inside in the straight and holding off the late challenge of Rock Spur. The $10 chance’s winning margin was a long head with Secret Blend ($21) a long neck astern of Rock Spur ($10).
“He’s a very nice horse and a different horse if you save him up and hold him for one run,” Parnham said.
“I rode him here two starts ago and I probably went a bit soon on him, but we’ve found the key to him now and we’re just going to ride him a bit cold.”
The Heather Howes Handicap was San Amaro’s seventh run of the campaign and co-trainer Cindy Alderson said he was likely to now be sent for a spell before returning to the racetrack later in the year.
WATCH: San Amaro stroll to victory in the Heather Howes Handicap
