Punters ignored Sky Duke at their peril when the Playing God gelding eased from $31 out to $51 before causing a massive upset at Ascot on Saturday.
Sky Duke has been a stable mainstay for trainer Neville Parnham since winning a Belmont nursery on debut in May 2022 and Saturday’s result improved his record to 7 wins in 35 starts for prizemoney of $387,000 including Westspeed Bonuses of $94,000.
He was racing second-up following an autumn prep headed by wins at Ascot and Belmont but that didn’t sway punters who let him blow like a gale in the lead-up to the MCA Polytrack Hcp (1200m).
Steve Parnham had him sitting pretty behind speed-machine Norich (Demerit) and they settled down to a two-horse war with Sessions mare Cessation (Troy Turner) before prevailing by a long-head. They clocked 68.95s which wasn’t far off the track record (68.00s) held by Danny Beau since 2008.
“He’s come back extremely well and beat September Born in a Belmont barrier trial,” Neville Parnham reported. “There were excuses first-up when he was off the track here last month and he worked extra well on Tuesday morning.”
Sky Duke (6g Playing God – Peggie’s Princess by Oratorio) represents the most successful cross in WA and was pinhooked for $20,000 at the 2020 Mungrup Stud Dispersal prior to making $90,000 when offered by Willaview Park (as agent) at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions.
Sky Duke pictured prior to the 2021 Magic Millions Sale. “He’s not overly big but I liked him on type as a yearling and he’s from a good family.” Neville Parnham
His dam Peggie’s Princess was pensioned last year by Jan Williamson and her final foal is a 2yo 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.
Playing God had sired his latest maiden winner when the Ryan Hill-trained mare Into the Future scored over 2200m at Northam on Thursday. Saturday’s result saw him extend at the top of the WA Sires’ table with earnings of $1.64m. Shooting To Win is next best on $1.15m.
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
