“You underestimate her, over 1800 metres, at your own peril,” was how trainer Colin Webster summed up Pop Culture’s win in the Ascot Gold Cup, yesterday.
Starting at the lucrative odds of $31 it was the quality mare’s second win in the Ascot Gold Cup, emulating her 2012 performance.
Troy Turner had Pop Culture racing midfield for most of the race and she finished far too strongly for pacemaker Rebelson and Fancy Feet who both fought on well.
Jockey Troy Turner said she felt like a winner on the home turn.
Part-owner Russell Clarke said it was a bigger thrill than the first Gold Cup. Pop Culture has also won a Group III Oaks classic (2400m) and five listed races amongst her 10 wins.
Webster said “she was set for this race and her first two runs back from a spell were not disappointing to us.”
The trainer said that she was never going to beat sprinters over 1400m in the Northerly Stakes and he liked the way she finished in that race.
“Back to her favourite distance of 1800m (four wins) she is a different proposition,” Webster said.
The experienced trainer will set her for a third tilt in the Perth Cup (2400m) with the Queen’s Cup (2100m), included in her lead up to that race.
FIRST FAMILY TO FORE: Brad Parnham’s timing and vigor paid results when Crown Lawyer won the fourth race (1400m). Ron’s Call was a long neck away with a half length to Hobart Jones,third.
His father, trainer Neville Parnham, (who had won the previous race with Magnus Missile, ridden by his youngest son, Chris), said it was an impressive win.
“He doesn’t have the speed out of the gates he had as a three year old but Brad settled him off the pace and he attacked the line really well. I think he can win a listed race and the Carbine Stakes, in a fortnight, appeals,” the trainer said.
The win was also a good birthday present for owner Sam Guargliardo who earlier in the day had another of his horses, Silent Whisper, win in Adelaide.
Neville Parnham’s winning double followed four winners on the program at a recent Ascot mid-week meeting. Parnham has completed four winners at a meeting 10 times and five wins once.
The current metropolitan trainers premiership is alive again with Adam Durrant holding only a 2.5 lead.