Mastercraftsman's Neufbosc Out Duels Truly Great in an Epic Perth Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday January 2

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.

Neufbosc edges past Truly Great (image Western Racepix)

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

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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.

Mastercraftsman

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Race Result - Tabtouch-Perth Cup Gr2 2400m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 2:30.15
1
Neufbosc
- 6g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Nonsuch Way (IRE) (Verglas (IRE))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: Chris Parnham 54
2
0.2
Truly Great
- 5g Dundeel (NZ) x Truly Special (AUS) (Jeune (GB))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: W Pike 60
3
4.5
Midnight Blue
- 4g So You Think (NZ) x Midnight Special (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: P Carbery 53
So You Think
4
4.6
Trap For Fools
- 7g Poet's Voice (GB) x Old Money (AUS) (Old Spice (AUS))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: B Rawiller 59
5
6.2
Platoon
- 5g Playing God (AUS) x Oriel (AUS) (Oratorio (AUS))
Tnr: N D Parnham Rdr: J Brown 54
6
6.3
Double Digit
- 7g Demerit (AUS) x Female Agent (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: A W Maley Rdr: Ryan Hill 53
7
6.5
Paddy's Shadow
- 6m Dane Shadow (AUS) x Pattie Me Lass (AUS) (Lords A Leaping (NZ))
Tnr: Ms R L Williams Rdr: S O'Donnell 53
8
6.6
Taxagano
- 7g Rogano (AUS) x Taxa (AUS) (Carry A Smile (AUS))
Tnr: F R Kersley Rdr: Jade Mc Naught 53
9
7.6
Cambist
- 4m Gingerbread Man (AUS) x Calico Blue (AUS) (Serheed (USA))
Tnr: Ms R Lockwood Rdr: J Whiting 53
10
9.1
Freez'emoff
- 6m Frost Giant (USA) x Keep'emoff (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: G W Hammarquist Rdr: Ms K Yuill 53
11
9.4
He's A Parker
- 6g He's A Decoy (IRE) x Roman Gem (AUS) (Bletchley Park (IRE))
Tnr: H S McLaren Rdr: S Mc Gruddy 53
12
9.7
Utgard Loki
- 5g Frost Giant (USA) x Twinkle Toes (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: J T Warwick Rdr: Lucy Warwick 53
13
10.1
Juicing Carrots
- 8g Black Tom (AUS) x Baroness Gabriella (AUS) (Kempinsky (AUS))
Tnr: Raquel Reid Rdr: Jerry Noske 53
14
10.4
Adornment
- 5m Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Jewelled (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: A G Durrant Rdr: Joseph Azzopardi 53
15
10.5
Princess Jenni
- 5m High Chaparral (IRE) x Glitzabeel (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: D R Brideoake Rdr: P Harvey 56
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