Cobbanco showed enough promise for West Swan owner-trainer Brian Lucas to predict he will be winning better races than Sunday’s maiden at Belmont Park.

But before facing the starter again, the Playing God 3yo will have to trial to the satisfaction of stewards after attempting to buck for a number of strides shortly after the start.  That aside, the gelding looked a good prospect letting down low to the ground to reel in Rommel’s War at the business end of 1400m.

“He got back but I was happy where he lobbed because I knew he would get home,” Lucas said.  “He should have just about won here last start when things didn’t go his way.  He’s a lazy worker and it’s hard to get a guide although we did have a bet today.  Don’t look below his shoulders, either.  His legs aren’t the best but I can manage that and get him out to a mile.”

Cobbanco (Picture: Western Racepix) is bred to excel at 1600m.  His dam Rivotor (Oratorio) is a half-sister to G2 WA Guineas winner Vain Crusader and second-dam Rivotion (Rivotious) is a half-sister to Metal Storm’s Listed winners Storm Shot (Anniversary Cup) and Stormy’s Son (Grandstand Cup).

“He’s immature and there’s obvious improvement to come,” jockey Jason Whiting added.  “Brian said he’s related to one that ran a mile and, in time, I think he should get there.”

Lucas bought him for $11,000 at the 2020 Mungrup Stud Dispersal and the third-start breakthrough repaid that bid with $22,900 in prizemoney boosted by a $9,700 bonus from Westspeed Platinum.

Playing God also won a G2 WA Guineas and his son Comfort Me ran a career-best second in the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.  The Rhys Radford-trained 5yo earned $200,000 for doing best of the beaten brigade behind Western Empire and that helped the Darling View Thoroughbreds stallion move into third spot on the WA premiership table behind his own sire Blackfriars.