Rope Them In has a penchant for firing first-up and that was evident when the after-burners propelled the Playing God sprinter to his second black-type victory in the LR Crawford Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
He has won four of six fresh starts starting with a debut victory at Belmont as a late-season juvenile when strong support saw his starting price melt from $41 into $17. He also resumed earlier this year for a career-high pay-day at home in the $370,000 Bluff Knoll (1099m) in Albany.
The Ascot result enhanced earnings for Rope Them In to better than $1.22 millions with the inclusion of $243,650 in bonuses via Westspeed Platinum. His first black-type victory had been in the G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) at Ascot last November.
Bred by Noel Carter, his brother Peter and son Duran along with Matt Marlow, he was sold through Willaview Park (as agent) for $80,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions to trainer Steve Wolfe.
Rope Them In (5g Playing God – Lead Rope by Real Jester) settled on the fence a fair way from firebrand front-runner Norich (Demerit) before stable jockey ‘Shooter’ McGruddy weaved through traffic in the straight to set out after London’s Image.
The Headwater mare was hailed the winner in the shadows of the post but had no answer when Rope Them In lunged right on the line for stable jockey ‘Shooter’ McGruddy. “It’s lovely to get him back,” trainer Steve Wolfe said. “I never had him right in the autumn and it was only his class that carried him through in the Bluff Knoll.”
Rope Them In bombed the start but that was a blessing in disguise according to McGruddy. “He missed the kick and was off the bridle but that also meant he had a better turn of foot for the final finish.
“He’s not a big horse and I believe he will be better placed in the (G1) Railway Stakes (1600m) instead of the G1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at weight-for-age.”
Rope Them In (Photo / Western Racepix) is the fifth winner from Lead Rope (Real Jester) and her final foal is a 2yo gelding named Sign Of The Times (Maschino) that cost Wolfe $100,000 at this year’s Perth Magic Millions. Second-dam Gay Abandon (Jugah) is a half-sister to the dam of Manjar (Blackfriars) who was a Listed winner of the 2005 Belgravia, Fairetha, Ngawyni and All Stars Stakes before transferring to Hong Kong.
Playing God (Blackfriars) is the first WA-based stallion to break through $1 million in prizemoney this season and his 4yo mare Black Ora kept the till ticking over winning the Project Building Supplies Hcp (1000m) earlier on Saturday at Ascot.
Darling View Thoroughbreds stands Playing God for $49,500 alongside Splintex ($7,700) and Lightsaber ($6,600). Service fees (inc GST). For bookings or more information, contact Brent Atwell on 0408 648 100 or brent@darlingviewthoroughbreds.com.au
