Darling View Thoroughbreds sire Playing God claimed his 9th Stakes winner when God Has Chosen stormed home to land the G3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) on Saturday.

It completed a winning hat-trick for the Lindsey Smith-trained 4yo galloper who was racing at weight-for-age for the first time.  He relaxed at the tail of the field on the rails before taking a split in the straight for Clint Johnston-Porter to reel in Red Can Man and Massimo.

God Has Chosen is by Playing God from Celtic Feva (Dr Johnson) and his overall strike-rate improved to 8 wins in 12 starts for prizemoney of $354,930 including Westspeed Bonuses of $11,100.  His next test will be the G3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) on June 11.

“That was extraordinary.  What a race,” stable manager Donna Riordan exclaimed.  “It was scary watching Clint taking those runs but he had a lot of horse underneath him.

“That was his biggest test but we were confident coming into the race.  He keeps improving and looks a special horse.”

God Has Chosen (Photo: Western Racepix) began his career in the Great Southern winning an Albany maiden on Boxing Day 2020 for part-owner and trainer Neil Lee and his brother Warren.  He’s the final foal of their unraced mare Celtic Feva who’s bottom-line traces directly to the dam of superstar sprinter Vain (Wilkes).

Warren Lee also bred God Has Chosen’s older half-sister She’s My Passenger (Passenger).  Her first foal Beau Talk is an unraced 2yo by former Darling View sire I’m All The Talk.  Her latest is a filly by Playing God’s brother God Has Spoken foaled in November.

Playing God (Blackfriars) stands for a $27,500 service fee at Darling View Thoroughbreds alongside recently-retired Snitzel Stakes winner Splintex ($11,000) and Patronize ($4,400).