| Trainer Neville Parnham has taken an alternative approach to the preparation of Bustler in a bid to help the veteran gelding rediscover his best form. Bustler’s last win, and the seventh overall in a stellar career, came in 2023 when he was successful in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m). But it’s not as if he has raced poorly since. He was fourth in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) and Group 3 Gold Rush (1400m), the pair of $1.5 million weight-for-age features, at his subsequent two starts and in 2024, finished runner-up in the Group 2 Lee-Steere Stakes (1400m) and fourth in the Northerly again. | However, his rapid rise in the ratings following his Railway triumph continues to be an issue. "We are going to try a slightly different training approach with him," Parnham said. "We’re going to give him some bush work initially and see how he adjusts to that. "He had a really long spell, there was nothing majorly wrong with him, niggling little things – he hasn’t got a bad fetlock or bad knee, he’s sound. "He’s got the ability and if we can get his head right and ensure that he is very much a happy horse, I am convinced he will run some strong races." Bustler enjoyed a four-month spell following his unplaced run in March behind Bonjoy in the Listed Grandstand Cup (1500m). He returned to training last month after being monitored regularly by Parnham on his trips to Waroona. "He spelled very well, I couldn’t be happier with how he looked before we picked him up last week," Parnham said. "We know he’s got the ability, I think everybody knows he’s got the ability, but as soon as you win a Railway, you go straight to the top of the weights. "I was listening to the radio recently and Railway Stakes winners haven’t won another race of late – that’s the handicap system. "If he doesn’t fire this prep it will probably be his last one. In an ideal world, I would love to see him in a Railway again, but there are many good races he could run in." |
