Platoon is on his way to the Group 1 Perth Masters following a superb first-up victory in the Seacorp Hcp (1400m) at Ascot.

The Neville Parnham-trained gelding won the LR Roberts Quality earlier this year and he can go to another level this season with Group 1 nominations for the Railway Stakes (1600m) and Kingston Town Classic (1800m)

“Class rose to the top today. He’s a good horse and had trialled well,” Parnham said on Saturday. “I was very confident earlier this week but that was dented a bit when the earlier winners were all first or second on the corner.

“He bounced better and really let down in the straight. I think he can measure up for the Railway but will probably have to win the Asian Beau or R J Peters to qualify. We ran him in the WA Derby last season but he won’t be going any further than 1800m.”

Platoon is by Mungrup Stud sire Playing God who won repeat editions of the Kingston Town in 2010 and 2011. His dam Oriel (Oratorio) won a Kalgoorlie maiden for Lex & Shirley Piper and she is a half-sister to Lock The Vault (Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic).

Her latest foal is a yearling colt by Playing God who stands at Mungrup for an $11,000 service fee.

Winning jockey Steve Parnham was confident in running despite having to spot My Admiration pair Regal Counsel and Crystal Love three lengths at the furlong. “His natural pattern has been to settle further back but he travelled and was more forward today. He’s going to improve off whatever he did first-up.

“Platoon is one of my favourites. I’ve had a close relationship with Playing God (pictured) and it’s good to be on his progeny. They’re racing well.”