Trainer Neville Parnham labelled Official Business a Saturday horse after he travelled three-wide while shouldering 60kg to win the Murlpirrmarra Connection Hcp (1200m) during the first midweek meeting of the season at Ascot.

Official Business (3c Gingerbread Man - Lado Ciego by Written Tycoon) was coming off a Northam maiden victory last month and he doubled up for a stable partnership than includes Parnham’s wife Carol, Bob Pearson, Mike Fagan, Paul Cook and Racing WA TV form analyst Scott Embry.

Bred and sold by Yarradale Stud for $60,000 at the 2025 Perth Magic Millions, he’s a son of resident sire Gingerbread Man and Parnham rated him a ‘nice acquisition’ after defeating the fillies Pucker Up (Blue Point) and Andalady (Anders).

Wednesday’s win increased his earnings to $77,370 including $28,950 in Westspeed Bonuses.

“I was concerned where he might end up but they steadied down the back and that helped the cause,” Parnham said.  “He’s not overly big so carrying 60kg was a good effort.  He kept going shinny early on and is still learning and filling out.  He can go on with it this prep and will probably be gelded when he goes out for a spell.”

Official Business was the first-leg of a double for Chris Parnham on the back of a city treble last Saturday.  “We didn’t have a lot of luck,” he told Embry after weighing in.  “I couldn’t slot in and I thought the weight might be too much but he proved me wrong.

Yarradale bred him from Lado Ciego who is an unraced daughter of LR WA Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) winner Chantski (War Chant).  Parnham also prepares her winning older half-sister Cawarra (Playing God) for some of the same connections and the mare’s 2yo is an unnamed filly by Lightsaber.

Chantski did have five other foals for Yarradale that did face the starter and they were all winners - Stormchaser (Impending), Final Authority (Zoustar), Perfect Chant (Toronado), Solar Chant (Earthlight) and Torpedoman (Street Boss).

Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) and Shooting To Win (Northern Meteor) are both priced at $5,500 (inc GST) service fees at Yarradale this season.   For all enquiries contact Davy Hanratty on 0429 336 904.

Scott Embry, Chris Parnham, Bob Pearson and Neville Parnham / Photo: Western Racepix