Darling View Thoroughbreds stallions won the opening race of the season with Sunny Honey (Patronize) at Belmont last Saturday and Spinarella (Splintex) reprised that result winning the opening race at the Belmont Newmarket meeting yesterday.
Spinarella had been thereabouts in all three starts as a winter 2yo before coming good first-up as a 3yo in the Happy 70th Birthday Colin Brown Plate (1000m). The Pearce Racing filly did best in a blanket finish to prevail over Manhattan Squeeze (Manhattan Rain) and her stablemate Properata (Pierata).
On a cold winter afternoon, Clint Johnston-Porter admitted he was shaking in the barriers before giving Spinarella every chance in transit on a Soft 7 surface. “We had a beautiful run and I used the gate to our advantage. We were in a good spot and, when I asked, there was plenty there.”
Talented black-type filly They’reallsisters is another recent Belmont winner among the first-crop of 3yo fillies by Splintex and that division can continue to make inroads this season with other prospects like Yamanex, Chixfromthestix, She’s a Splinter and London Rose leading the way.
Spinarella (White blinkers / Photo: Western Racepix) was bred by Gervase Park owners Chris and Andrea Gales and is trained by brothers Dan & Ben Pearce for their wives Danelle & Chloe. “Dan wants a new bobcat and I think that’s just paid for it,” Danelle said. “The boys are in Broome fishing while the staff are doing a great job at home in this horrendous weather!”
Saturday’s win coincided with news that Darling View will meet the market with Splintex. In a surprise announcement that will resonate with breeders, stud manager Brent Atwell announced his service fee has been lowered to $4,400 (inc GST) this season.
He stands alongside Champion WA Sire Playing God who completed an early double for the roster when Heaven Specified defied I Love Ya Money (Gingerbread Man) in another busy finish to the Ted McAuliffe Hcp (1400m).
Heaven Specified races for Krisman Park owner-breeders Phil and Christine Bruce. The Dardanup couple bought his Ascot-winning dam I Do De Claire (Not A Single Doubt) as a yearling for $80,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions Sale. Her first winner Surfside Session (Sessions) completed a running double at Ascot and Belmont last season but was sidelined after being tailed off behind Ripper Farooq (Vert De Grece) in a Westspeed Platinum Hcp (1000m) on July 18.
The other Playing God from I Do De Claire is the Trevor Andrews-trained 3yo filly Heavenly Paradise. She is another Krisman Park homebred and was runner-up to Rockin’ Serenity (Awesome Rock) on debut in a Belmont nursery last month.
Playing God (Blackfriars) stands for $49,500 with Group 1 winning newcomer Royal Patronage (Wootton Bassett) at $16,500, Lightsaber (Zoustar) at $6,600 and Splintex (Snitzel) at $4,400. All fees (inc GST). Brent Atwell can be contacted for bookings and/or information on 0408 648 100.
