Malibu Style scores upset win at Sandown

Perth sprinter Malibu Style could be headed home for a crack at the Group One Winterbottom Stakes after claiming an upset win in the Listed Doveton Stakes at Sandown.

The Neville Parnham-trained Malibu Style ($21), ridden by Ben Thompson, stuck his head out in a driving finish in Saturday’s Doveton (1000m) to beat Bons Away by a neck, with another short-head to I’ll Have A Bit.

Seven-year-old Malibu Style has campaigned almost exclusively in Victoria in the past couple of years, with the exception of last year’s Winterbottom at Ascot in Perth, in which he finished last.

The Winterbottom (1200m) is in two weeks and Parnham’s travelling foreman Mark Sestich said the gelding was booked to return home on Sunday.

“He’s booked on the plane to go back to Perth tomorrow night for the Winterbottom,” Sestich said.

“I think probably the Winterbottom is a little bit hard for him but in the form he’s in he’s probably a good chance in it.

“I’m not sure. I’ll have to speak to the boss later.

“It will be up to Neville whether he wants to take him or not or leave him here.”

The consistent Malibu Style was in his third start of this campaign on Saturday and registered his fourth Melbourne win, having also won the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes last year at Caulfield and two open handicaps at Flemington in May and June this year.

“He’s been a wonderful horse,” Sestich said.

“He’s been over here on and off for the past two years and he’s really done well.”