Playing God gelding Currimundi won the last city race of last season to put the finishing touches on the Darling View stallion’s first WA Sires’ premiership in 2022-23.
The Steve Wolfe-trained sprinter miler was back in the frame on Saturday with a late burst to land the Thank You Jay Rooney Hcp (1600m) under Brayden Gaerth. He defeated fellow fast-closer Acting God (Playing God) to make it 8 winning Ascot Saturdays in a row for Playing God.
The uninterrupted run goes back to Investmentstrategy in the LR Fairetha Stakes on November 11.
“He was down in grade today and we booked Brayden for the claim,” Wolfe said as the apprentice returned to scale on Currimundi. “The kid rode well and this horse has ability. He’s been unlucky this prep but all the ducks were in line today and I can see him winning better races than this one.”
Currimundi (Photo / Western Racepix) is the second and final foal of Belmont-winning NZ-bred mare Pins Perhaps (Pins). Her first was The Spruiker (I’m All The Talk) and both gallopers were also bred by Wolfe. The latter has earned $700,000 for the same connections to date with Westspeed Bonuses of $245,100.
The Spruiker goes around again this Saturay in the Schweppes Hcp (1400m) at Ascot.
“It was a bit messy when they slowed up so I popped out three-wide and followed ‘Shooter’ (McGruddy) on Ginger Green,” Gaerth explained. “I was on the best horse and was confident after getting a good cart into the race.”
Playing God ($4.28 million) has established a significant lead at the top of this season’s WA premiership over Universal Ruler ($1.69 million) and there’s more success waiting in the wings with his unraced 2yo fillies Playful Star (Neville Parnham) and Kunapipi (Paul Jordan) both winning trials at Belmont on Monday.
