Aptly named odds-on favourite West Star completed a winning treble for Western Breeders Alliance with an exciting first-up victory in the Singapore Pools Trophy (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday.
With the aid of an easterly breeze, the very promising Playing God 3yo sprinter won readily by a couple of lengths from older horses led by Petula (Nicconi) in 1.08.74s which is just a tick outsider the long-standing track-record held by Danny Beau (Zedrich). Photo / Western Racepix
Western Breeders Alliance had doubled up at Ascot’s midweek meeting on Wednesday with Perth Magic Millions graduates Smart Energy (Exosphere) and Hymns Of Eladdair (Oratorio).
West Star (3g Playing God – Jester Derriere by Patronize) was a $175,000 buy for trainer Simon Miller from the WBA consignment to the 2023 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Saturday’s win sent his earnings through $400,000 including Westspeed Bonuses of $172,700 for a syndicate that includes Dave Harris, Jackie Chan, Garry Wright, Stan Quinlivan. Fred Fairthorne and Chris Chalwell,
Stable rep Kelly Kinninmont declared West Star is good enough to take on the best short-course horses in training in either the $5 million Kia Quokka (1200m) or $200,000 The Joey (1200m) at Ascot on April 26. She also mentioned the $1 million Goodwood Hcp (1200m) as a possible interstate target at Morphettville on May 10.
“He’s lightly-raced but is already just about the finished product,” Kinninmont said as Willie Pike brought the winner back to scale. “He’s not unlike Playing God and we’re really looking forward to this prep.”
Pike has several options for the Kia Quokka but sounded particularly impressed with the lightly-raced gelding when interviewed after weighing in. “He’s a lovely big horse and there’s plenty improvement to come. He was quite fresh today and was in a rush to get on with the job. That will take the edge off and I reckon he will be smoother and better with this run under his belt.”
West Star had doubled up in juvenile company at Belmont during a winter prep last year and returned in the spring to lead home a Playing God quinella from September Born in the LR Belgravia Stakes (1200m) at Ascot in October.
He was bred by Darling View director Clive Atwell and is the final foal from Jester Derriere (Patronize) who is a half-sister to RL Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) winner The River (Magnus).
