A Group III winner in France and second in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp, Neufbosc (FR) arrived in Australia with great expectations but quickly wore out his welcome at Lindsay Park.
The son of Mastercraftsman (IRE) ran one placing in twelve starts, so few tears were shed when the grey was sent to Neville Parnham in the middle of last year in an attempt to find some form.
And what a job he has done.
After just missing the placings in two starts in Group III company, the 6yo gelding returned to the winner's circle for the first time since claiming the Group III Prix du Lys at Longchamp in May 2018, when successful in the Listed Carbine Club of WA Stakes at Ascot on November 21.
He disappointed in the Group 1 Kingston Town Stakes won by Truly Great but bounced back a week later when second in the Listed Townton Cup.
Neufbosc (FR) met Truly Great again in Saturday's Group II Tabtouch-Perth Cup and what a stirring spectacle they put on.
After being caught three-wide the trip under his 60kgs, Truly Great looked like holding Neufbosc (FR) everywhere until the final 50 metres when the son of Dundeel grudgingly gave way in the last few strides
Sporting the navy blue, white and lime green colours of Seymour Bloodstock, Neufbosc (FR) defeated Truly Great by a long-head with Midnight Blue (So You Think) four and a quarter lengths back in third.
It was a milestone first win in the race for his jockey Chris Parnham and the second for Neville Parnham 20 years after his first with Luna Tudor.
Parnham senior said that the Perth Cup had always enchanted his son Chris.
"When he was a little boy, his mum got him a replay of the race. He probably watched it a thousand times. It was all he wanted to talk about. He got his Group 1 a few weeks ago, and now he has got his cup," Neville Parnham said.
"I think that this horse has only started to acclimatise. I have to thnk Mark Pilkington. He organised to buy the horse and organised him to come to Perth after his disappointment over there.
"I thought he won the race when he got on to Willie's back (on Truly Great) at about the 1200m. He always looked like he was travelling nicely. When he pulled out to join him (Truly Great), it was a bit of a battle but the pull in the weights told. Truly Great is a fantastic horse and the weight told in the last 50 metres.
A half-brother to the stakes-placed Nullemont (Rajsaman), Neufbosc (FR) is the best of three winners from as many foals out of the stakes-placed Nonsuch Way (Verglas).
Third in the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp, Nonsuch Way is a daughter of the stakes-winning Priolo mare Lucky Lune.
