Indian Eyeing Another Pacific Coast Raid

Attributed to Shakespeare, the expression ‘Beware the tides of March’ is primarily a harbinger of doom. For those who may have forgotten the narrow margin that separated runner-up Indian Pacific (Zoustar) from claiming last March’s Gr1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington, a jaw-dropping trial by the Perth sprinter earlier this week was a wake-up call that Neville Parnham is preparing to set the record straight. Ridden in one of 18 trials over at Lark Hill by his son Brad, Indian Pacific was never out of second gear when clocking the fastest of the scampers and cruising to the line 7-lengths clear. According to thewest.com.au, Indian Pacific’s trainer fired a warning shot across the bows of future opponents, saying, “I think he’s resumed better than ever. There’s a possibility he could run first-up in the Belmont Newmarket on August 14. But he’s going good enough for a Melbourne campaign.” Just needing to check out flight schedules and stabling options in Victoria, Parnham opined, “We’ll discuss the option of him racing in Victoria next month and I’m confident he’ll again measure up to the best sprinters there.”