Darling View Thoroughbreds sire Playing God isn’t resting on his laurels even with a hat-trick of WA premierships just around the corner.
Playing God ($7.26m) has maintained a substantial margin over Maschino ($5.12m) with 12 individual winners in the last month. Leading that dozen is West Star who is one his 7 Stakes winners this season in the LR Belgravia Stakes (1200m) and G3 Northam Sprint (1300m).
The winning run commenced on April 18 with Ultimate Paradise (Kalgoorlie) and, in quick succession, she was followed by Black Ora (Ascot), Across Generations (Pinjarra), Deadly And Fast (Albany), L’il Capri (Ascot), Redback Flyer (Ascot), Lord Shiva (Ascot), Lordgivemestrength (Albany), She Is God (Port Hedland), Don’t Trust Judas (Northam), West Star (Northam) and Sky Duke (Belmont) on Saturday.
Sky Duke (5g Playing God – Peggie’s Princess by Oratorio) cost $90,000 from Willaview Park at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions and victory in the Ascend Trophies Hcp (1200m) sent his earnings to $341,000 with Westspeed Bonuses contributing $94,000. Photo / Western Racepix
Prepared by Playing God’s trainer Neville Parnham, Sky Duke followed Catch Carter (I’m All The Talk) in the running line and responded when asked to let down by Brayden Gaerth to score by two lengths from Close Talker (Overshare).
“He’s been ultra-consistent without winning and it’s good to get him across the line,” Parnham said. “Brayden rode him beautifully although taking a trail wasn’t the plan. He’s had some niggles with his feet but we will keep him ticking along and he does like Belmont.”
Sky Duke was bred at Mungrup Stud and represents the Playing God – Oratorio cross that has produced 36 winners at an 82% strike-rate headed by the Parnham-trained Bustler (G1 Railway Stakes).
Peggie’s Princess was pensioned by Jan Williamson earlier this season and her final foal is a yearling colt by Playing God. Second-dam Peggie’s Dream (Ihtiram) won a LR Jungle Mist Classic (1400m) and her full-sister Miss Andretti was Australian Horse of the Year in 2006-07.
