Champion WA sire Playing God completed a rare black-type treble on Day 1 of The Pinnacles and there’s more in the pipeline with three Group 1 events in the next month at Ascot.
Rope Them In (Photo / Western Racepix) won the first of Saturday’s feature races in the G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m). He swept home to defeat the favourite Western Empire (NZ) and for good measure became the 22nd Stakes winner by Playing God.
It was an impressive stepping-stone into the G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on November 30. “We’ve had a high opinion of him from the start,” trainer Steve Wolfe said. “He’s a genuine horse and the plan has always been to come back in two weeks for the Winterbottom. He’s got a turn of foot and I don’t have to do too much with him.”
Rope Them In (4g Playing God – Lead Rope by Real Jester) was bred by Noel Carter, his brother Peter and son Duran along with Matt Marlow and they kept a share after he was sold by Willaview Park (as agent) for $60,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions.
Mojo Rhythm supplied the second-leg with a repeat victory in the G3 R J Peters Stakes (1500m) for Donnybrook owner-breeders David and Ellen Ott. He defeated Alsephina (Star Turn) twelve months ago and relegated another smart mare Yonga Lass (Universal Ruler) on Saturday.
“That’s back-to-back and we’re off to another Railway,” trainer Mitch Pateman said. “He’s big and gross and holds his form backing up off seven days. He needed those first two runs back this prep and improved out of sight today.”
Mojo Rhythm (6g Playing God – Saddle Me Up by Grey Swallow) ran fifth in the 2023 Railway won by Bustler (Playing God). This year’s $1.5 million Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) highlights Day 2 of The Pinnacles next Saturday, November 23.
The Playing God treble was never in doubt once Baby Paris flew the gates in the LR Jungle Mist Classic (1200m). She was in full flight on the corner and there was still a five-length margin at the furlong allowing time for Troy Turner to fist-pump the result.
Baby Paris (5m Playing God – War In Paris by War Chant) is a homebred for Kalgoorlie trainer Gary Bowen and was winning at Listed level for the third time. She also won the $200,000 The Joey (1200m) last year and her earnings raced through $800,000 on Saturday.
“She’s a great little mare but I was a bit worried with the wide draw,” trainer Colin Webster admitted. “She can get stirred up so the delay behind the barrier didn’t help, either. Then she jumped and I was pretty confident she could keep it going.”
Darling View Thoroughbreds stands Playing God for $49,500 with Splintex ($11,000) and Lightsaber ($6,600). Service fees (inc GST). Stud manager Brent Atwell can be contacted for bookings or more information on 0408 648 100.
