The Northerly Stakes: Jockeys Brad Parnham, Holly Watson train despite Watson’s 20-day suspension

There’s no horsing around when this pair hit the gym.

Top jockey Brad Parnham has been riding the mechanical horse every week ahead of Saturday’s $1.5 million the Group 1 Northerly Stakes at Ascot.

And Holly Watson also has her eyes on racing riches, training hard ahead of her next race, the $1.5 million Gold Rush (1400m) on December 14.

Parnham is back on Bustler on Saturday after guiding him into fourth place in last year’s Northerly Stakes.

“He’s five now and he’s that little bit older and little bit stronger so I’m expecting him to be every bit as competitive as last year if not a little bit more,” Parnham said.

“If I get the right run throughout I’m excited to be on him.

“I think he should be a chance.”

A win in the Northerly Stakes would see Brad follow his father Neville Parnham and his brother Steven Parnham’s success in the race.

Neville has trained three winners in the Northerly — Playing God (2010-2011) and Kay Cee (2019).

Jockey brother Steven has tasted success on Playing God (2010-2011), Ihtsahymn (2013) and Kay Cee (2019).

The Northerly Stakes is run at 4.55pm on Saturday.

Watson will miss the race after copping a hefty 20-day suspension for causing race interference at the $200,000 Colonel Reeves Stakes.