Darling View’s Champion sire Playing God had to take a back-seat when Adam Durrant detailed the background of his untapped Belmont winner Cheyne Bay on Wednesday.
It was a sentimental result for Durrant and his parents Geoff and Vicky when Cheyne Bay (Photo / Western Racepix) defeated last-start winner Bondi Bay (Bondi) in a head-bobbing finish to the Mrs Mac’s Hcp (1400m). The 3yo gelding was strong through the line for Clint Johnston-Porter despite racing over a longer trip than usual for a debutant.
He’s the final foal of Russian Playmate (Dr Johnson) who was a Listed winner of the La Trice and Starstruck Classics in 2008. She was also was a godsend at stud for the Durrant family foaling 7 individual winners from 7 foals.
“I don’t know where we would be without that mare. She did a tremendous job and we thought it was fitting to name her last foal after a horse that got us going back 30 years ago.”
The original Cheyne Bay was a son of Cheyne Walk (Le Cordonnier) who had opened his city account on a big stage at Ascot the day Victorian visitor Zaparri (Toy Pindarri) won the 1994 Railway Stakes.
“Russian Playmate died a few months after this bloke was weaned. She was getting old and struggling to get in foal but full credit to Brent at Darling View and Rob Davies at Baldivis Vets. We had decided on Playing God as a son of Blackfriars. It was a perfect match being the same cross as Come Play With Me.”
Come Play With Me is the sole black-type winner from the mare having travelled from Perth to Sydney to claim the G1 Metropolitan Hcp (2400m) at Randwick in 2019. All bar one of her other foals prior to Cheyne Bay were by Blackfriars. The exception is last-start Belmont winner Russian Sniper (Snippetson).
“Apart from their colour, Cheyne Bay is a dead-ringer for Come Play With Me,” Durrant said. “He’s been showing ability at home and seeing him win over 1400m is typical of the cross. There’s a lot more scope with the mare’s foals by Blackfriars and Playing God.
“We will see how he pulls up before making a decision in whether to bring him back here in 10 days for a Saturday race. He’s a ripper and I think he can be a carnival horse although having a 3yo race on those hard tracks early in the season is a worry.”
Playing God stands for a $49,500 fee at Darling View Thoroughbreds alongside Splintex ($11,000) and Lightsaber ($6,600). Service fees (inc GST). Brent Atwell can be contacted for bookings or further information on 0408 648 100.
