Son Of A God struck again on Boxing Day to improve his record to 6 wins from 9 starts in the Happy Birthday Toni Lalich Hcp (1200m) at Ascot.
The Simon Miller-trained son of Playing God tracked Ziebell (Nicconi) but took the length of the straight to run down the leader first-up following a five-month spell. “He didn’t take the gap as well as we would have liked,” stable rep Kelly Kinninmont said. “He can be a quirky horse – like a few of the Playing Gods – but he did hit the line hard.
“The track-riders and Chris (Parnham) have been doing a lot of work with him at home and he’s beginning to travel much better in his races.”
Son Of A God, pictured with Willie Pike after an earlier win this year, clocked a quick 1.10.80s for 1200m journey considering the south-westerly wind-factor and the rail being out 9 metres. “I think people were getting carried away with his trial win last week,” Parnham said after unsaddling the odds-on favourite. “There are few things we have to work on but I think he will eventually make a black-type horse.”
South-west owner-breeder Shaun Maiden has already turned down a sizeable offer for Son Of A God from Hong Kong. He’s a Director of Dash Civil Contracting in Stratham and his mares foal down with Wayne and Jane Beynon at Einoncliff Park in North Boyanup.
Son Of A God has earned $243,790 including Westspeed bonuses of $89,150. His dam Faslizan (Fasliyev) was bred by former WATC Chairman John Roberts and won at Ascot before going to stud. Her latest foal is a yearling filly by Universal Ruler.
“Playing God is doing a good job and hopefully there’s a good race in Son Of A God,” Maiden said. “He was still figuring it all out earlier this year. Simon said to watch out when the penny drops because he has a tremendous will to win.”
Playing God latest book at Darling View Thoroughbreds was curtailed to 96 mares after he was hospitalised for displaced colon. The Atwell family stands him for a State-high $13,200 (inc GST) service fee and are hoping he will make a full recovery in time for next September.
