Rommel charges to Guineas triumph
Rommel upset hot favourite Disposition to give jockey Steven Parnham his third $400,000 WA Guineas (1600m) when in the past five years.
The Neville Parnham-trained Rommel, rated a $21 outsider, produced a tough performance sitting on a hot speed to score.
Settling third and trailing tear away leader Furious Dame, Rommel surged to the lead at the 200m.
Disposition ($2.10 favourite) was in the back half of the field but was hooked out three wide to make his run at the top of he straight.
But the previously unbeaten three-year-old couldn't get past Rommel, who won by half a length.
Say Geronimo was third.
Outlaw Pete, the second favourite, never figured when running on into fourth.
Neville Parnham managed to turn around Rommel's poor early form this campaign to run second to Disposition last start in the Fairetha Stakes.
He maintained his faith in the well bred Commands colt.
"It's a great achievement to get this horse over the line," Neville Parnham said.
"I just felt over the last few weeks we probably were a bit easy on him.
"I stepped up his work and he came good.
"I think this horse has a bit of class about him.
"He'll be a good chance in a race like the Kingston Town with 52kg.
"He's similar to Playing God but Playing God probably had a bit more brilliance about him."
Steven won last year's Guineas on Ihtsahymn.
He also won the race on Playing God for his father Neville in 2010.
"I've always loved this horse," Steven said.
"Getting up in trip and having the runs under his belt got him there."
