The Playing God – Parnham Racing connection struck again when progressive mare Champeze won for the second time this prep at Belmont on Wednesday.
Champeze did best in a tit-for-tat finish with Charlie Jane (Universal Ruler) and Audrey Grace (Shalaa) in the Lexus Of Perth Hcp (1300m). She had won a Northam maiden first-up last month before a never-nearer fifth in much stronger company on the last day of the season at Belmont.
Neville Parnham’s decision to drop her back to a Fillies & Mares Class 1 at the midweek meeting paid dividends although it wasn’t a done deal until they hit the line. Champeze stalked front-runner Charlie Jane but she wouldn’t fold and then Audrey Grace loomed up at the furlong.
“It was a battle,” winning jockey Steven Parnham agreed after weighing in. “The leader kicked and then the other one went past me. I got my mare going again and she had to dig deep to get there.”
Champeze (centre) defeats Charlie Jane (blue cap) and Audrey Grace at Belmont / Photo: Western Racepix
It was an emotional afternoon for the Parnham family following the death of Neville’s mother Joan on Monday. Father and son embraced after the win alongside Neville’s in-laws Graeme and Maureen Webster.
Parnham and part-owner Michael Fagan purchased Champeze for $65,000 out of the Willaview Park consignment to the 2022 Perth Magic Millions. She’s the final foal of Just As Beautiful (Beautiful Crown) who is also the dam of G2 Pago Pago Stakes winner Salade (Snitzel) and the WA-bred winners Gorgeous Gossip (I’m All The Talk), Texan Blitz (Oratorio) and Parlare (I’m All The Talk).
Champeze was the 31st individual winner by Playing God trained by Parnham when she won that Northam maiden and stablemate Playball was the 32nd when he claimed a Bunbury maiden last Thursday, August 15.
Playball is from Hallowell Angel (Testa Rossa) who is a half-sister to the dam of G1 VRC Lightning Stakes winner Gytrash (Lope de Vega). He was bred and sold by Mungrup Stud’s Gray Williamson to Parnham for $90,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions.
Fagan is a part-owner in Playball and Champeze as is fellow long-time stable client Bob Pearson.
Playing God stands for $49,500 at Darling View Thoroughbreds 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.
