Playing God led the first WA sires’ premiership published for 2022-23 until his Darling View Thoroughbreds barn-mate Patronize took over at the top of the table on Saturday.

Patronize 3yo Rejuva King won the Free Entry To Belmont Park Plate (1400m) to credit his sire with earnings of $328k when Westspeed Platinum bonuses are included by Arion Pedigrees.  Playing God remains on $278k.

Patronize has also sired more individual winners (7) than next best Gingerbread Man (5).

It’s early days, however, Darling View would be thrilled with the positive start by it stallions particularly as Rejuva King was bred and reared at its Mundijong nursery. He was purchased by Dan Morton for $20,000 through the Western Breeders Alliance consignment to the 2021 Perth Magic Millions.

Rejuva King (Photo | Western Racepix) had defeated fellow Patronize 3yo The Great Hoya at Belmont a fortnight ago but was rated no better than an $8 chance to double up on Saturday.  “Dan was confident,” stable foreman Vin Collica reported.  “The horse has been jumping out of his skin this week.

“He was stepping up to 1400m and the extra furlong was right up his alley.  He doesn’t have any gate-speed but really attacks the line.  He shows no signs of training off and we will be looking for more Westspeed Platinum races when he gets up to a mile.”

Winning jockey Brad Parnham was also confident despite missing this start and the Soft 7 surface.  “He’s still a bit new but can reel off a quick final 600m.  It took him an extra 100m to get going today but he eventually ground them down.”

Rejuva King is the first named foal from Belavenir who is a daughter of Irish-bred mare Paradise Lost (Sadler’s Wells).  The second-dam is a full-sister to Nalani (LR Grand Prix de Clairefontaine) and there are another 10 French, English, Italian and North American Stakes winners below his Royal Ascot-winning third dam Narwala (Darshaan).

Darling View has a 2yo colt by Maschino from Belavenir and the mare foaled a Lucky Street filly last October.