Western Australia snatches Origin tie

The Parnham brothers, Chris and Brad, have ridden the quinella in a heat of the State of Origin jockeys series to help Western Australia snatch a tie with NSW on the final day.

NSW were odds-on favourites to win the series after going into the day on 33 points while WA went in on 17.

In the first heat Chris Parnham brought Ringo’s A Rockstar ($5) with a well-timed run to hold off Brad Parnham on Motion Granted ($11) in the drive to the line.

It lifted them to 33 points while NSW pair Tye Angland and Josh Parr picked up two points for unplaced rides.

In the final heat Princess Charm beat Brewery by a head with length to Slydini in third.

Princess Charm was ridden by Robbie Fradd, who was not an Origin jockey, while Brewery was ridden by Larry Cassidy for New Zealand.

However, Chris Parnham picked up three points for third on Slydini while Brad also got a point to lift them to 37 points.

The NSW pair again picked up only two points to also finish on 37.

Racing Queensland series organiser Brett Clunow said it was a thrilling finish for a thrilling series.

Ringo’s A Rockstar was unlucky at his previous start in another heat of the Origin series two weeks ago.

The gelding is trained by 85-year-old Norm “Whopper” Stephens.

“We will head to a city three-year-old race and then bring him back for the Gold Coast Guineas in May,” Stephens’ son Wayne said.

“It was good he got a look at the track today and Chris rode him very well.”

FINAL ORIGIN SCORES: NSW (37) and Western Australia (37), New Zealand (31), South Australia (21), Queensland (17) and Victoria (12).