Reigning WA Champion Sire Playing God was an odds-on favourite to successfully defend his first premiership this season but no-one factored in a shot at the 2yo title.
The Darling View alpha-male is home-and-hosed for the 2023-24 WA General Sires’ Championship after establishing a huge lead by the end of May. His promising 2yo West Star was the final city winner in a month numbering 10 individual winners that sent this season’s earnings through $7 million.
Playing God’s service fee has been increased to a record $49,500 (inc GST) and Darling View Manager Brent Atwell expects him to cover another full-book despite the price rise. In fact, there’s no reason why he won’t go up again if there’s another batch of new black-type winners emerging in the next twelve months.
May winners like Best Mood, Rope Them In and West Star will be back for spring and summer feature races and another likely type is the Dan Morton-trained 2yo True Apostle. He defeated Rainline on debut at Pinjarra after charging through a tight run along the rails for Chris Parnham.
True Apostle (Photo / Western Racepix) is the third and final winner from Sebring Lane (Sebring) bred by Anita Vale Stud owners Robert and Anne Anderson. They sourced her for just $15,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions Perth Winter Sale and there could be posthumous pedigree updates come carnival time.
“Playing God is having an amazing season. It’s been massive. He’s doing a huge job and I think the fee increase is pretty fair,” Atwell said ahead of the stallion’s 10th book. “A good number of our clients rang before the fee was announced. They just wanted to make sure their mare got in. We’re also fielding calls from breeders in NSW and Victoria.
“In the coming year or two we will look to sell some Playing God yearlings at the Gold Coast and in Sydney,” Atwell told ANZ Bloodstock. “Magic Millions and Inglis both put the offer to us to take a couple of them across and he’s covering mares now that have the profile to sell interstate.”
Playing God casts a long shadow, however, his barn-mates Splintex (Snitzel) and Lightsaber (Zoustar) will also be booked to the brim this season. “Splintex has covered 230 mares in his first two seasons and the feedback has been very positive,” Atwell explained. “They’re built in the same mould as Splintex and Snitzel.
“That’s really pleasing. People are telling us their best foal on the farm is a Splintex.”
Atwell is looking forward to the first Lightsaber foals in August. “He covered 100 mares and being the first son of Zoustar in WA helped him get to three figures. He’s well-priced at $6,600 for a Group winner at two and three. He ran in very good company and was fourth home to Anamoe, Capitivant and Artorius in the 2021 Caulfield Guineas.”
