Praise for rising star
IHTSAHYMN confirmed his standing as a rising star of WA racing with a brilliant win in the $ 250,000 CB Cox Stakes ( 2100m) at Ascot yesterday.
Ridden to perfection by the in- form Steven Parnham, three- year- old Ihtsahymn landed a hat-trick of feature victories to cap his massive summer campaign.
Ihtsahymn ($3.60fav) won in almost identical circumstances to his Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) triumph last start.
After parking just behind the speed, Parnham let Ihtsahymn loose at the top of the straight.
The Ihtiram gelding drew alongside Rohan ($8.50) and Kincaple ($ 21) and got the better of the latter by a long neck.
Kincaple put in a big Perth Cup (2400m) trial when leading almost all the way.
Rohan ran third. Luckygray and Mr Moet failed to figure when fifth and sixth respectively and they will both be spelled.
Trainer Fred Kersley will spell Ihtsahymn, who also won last month’s WA Guineas (1600m).
‘‘I haven’t thought beyond today,’’ Kersley said.
‘‘The (WATC) Derby is an option but his options here are limited,’’ he said. ‘‘I went into the race apprehensive. I wasn’t sure whether I was testing him a bit too much.’’