Do I Feel Lucky’s dramatic win at Pinjarra on Saturday has set the stage for a potential tilt at Perth’s premier juvenile race, the Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot.
Ridden by the in-form Chris Parnham, Do I Feel Lucky shot out of the gates, took control early, and held on in a nail-biting finish to claim the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) by a short half-head.
Trained by Sean and Jake Casey, the promising youngster kicked clear in the straight but had to dig deep to repel a fast-finishing Perfectly Proper. The victory improved his record to two wins and two placings from four career starts.
For Parnham, the triumph continued a stellar run of form, securing his third consecutive win in the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic following victories aboard Big Shots last year and Super Smink in 2022.
The jockey believes Do I Feel Lucky has the class to make an impact in upcoming feature races.
“He’s definitely a contender for the autumn two-year-old features,” Parnham told Tabradio. “I imagine he’ll have a freshen-up and be aimed at the Karrakatta. He’s top-class and wouldn’t be out of place in those big races.”
Parnham also reflected on the effort of Shmoov Mover, who rattled home from near last to grab fourth in the Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (1200m).
“He couldn’t have done much more,” Parnham said. “From the awkward draw, we had to go back, and he flew home. It was a huge run.”
Another highlight for Parnham came aboard Rissoles, who stormed to victory in the Thoroughbred Breeders WA Platinum Classic (1200m) for trainer Luke Fernie. The mare cruised home by three lengths over Cherry Can Run and could now target feature fillies and mares races.
“When she’s on song, her turn of foot is devastating,” Parnham said. “If she shows up in the Marjorie Charleson like that, she’ll be very hard to beat.”
The Marjorie Charleson Classic (1200m) is set for March 1, with the Karrakatta Plate (1200m) following on April 26.
After his Pinjarra treble, Parnham continued his hot streak with another three winners at Bunbury on Sunday. He now sits on 103 wins for the season, just one behind Blake Shinn in the Australian Jockey Premiership.
In the Perth jockeys’ title race, he holds a commanding lead with 76 wins, well ahead of William Pike (48.5), who has been sidelined with a fractured wrist.