Playing God has played a lone hand for local stallions during the first three days of The Pinnacles at Ascot.
The Darling View Thoroughbreds champion has sired the winners of five black-type races at the half-way point of The Pinnacles and he’s gearing up for Day 4 with an undeniable chance for an unprecedented second Group 1 in the $1.5 million Northerly Stakes (1800m).
British-bred star Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux) is the opening $2.25 favourite in the countdown to Perth’s premier race at weight-for-age while Playing God stablemates Zipaway ($7.50) and Bustler ($14) are being kept safe by bookmakers.
Jockey Steven Parnham has elected to ride Zipaway who is coming off a Group 2 victory in the WA Guineas (1600m) while Bustler was last seen winning the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m). “It’s tough to get off a Railway winner but I’ve always gone with a 3yo in this race because of the weight advantage,” he said.
“If Zaaki turns up anywhere near his best, he’s going to take beating. But that 7kg pull and Zipaway’s tactical versatility could be crucial.”
Mojo Rhythm is a third son of Playing God in the field at $41. He won the G3 R.J. Peters Stakes (1500m) on Day 1 and then ran out of his skin when fifth in the Railway.
Playing God’s black-type report card at The Pinnacles reads;
DAY 1 (November 18) MOJO RHYTHM (G3 R.J. Peters Stakes)
DAY 2 (November 25) ZIPAWAY (G2 WA Guineas)
DAY 2 (November 25) BUSTLER (G1 Railway Stakes)
DAY 3 (December 2) BABY PARIS (LR Jungle Dawn Classic)
DAY 3 (December 2) INVESTMENTSTRATEGY (LR Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic)
Photo: Baby Paris / Western Racepix
No other WA-based stallion has sired a black-type winner so far at the 2023 The Pinnacles. Red Hot Choice was successful on Day 1 with Hot Zed (G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes) as was Blackfriars on Day 2 with Be Optimistic (LR A.J. Scahill Cup).
They are both deceased and Galah, who was also among the winners on Day 2 with Let’s Galahvant (LR Carbine Club Of W.A. Stakes), has just been put up for sale by Zhongli Thoroughbreds in NSW.
Galah (Redoute’s Choice) was based at Rangeview Stud before being sold to Zhongli owner Gu Tao to stand in China. COVID restrictions put an indefinite hold on that move and he’s now back on the market.
