Playing God will be tested at racing’s elite level next week after demolishing his three-year-old rivals in yesterday’s listed Aquanita Stakes (1800m) at Ascot.

He will clash with his year older full brother God Has Spoken as well as recent Railway Stakes winner Gathering and co when he backs up into the Kingston Town Classic.

After getting back in the field in yesterday’s feature event, the son of Blackfriars was able to produce a stunning run on the outside of the field to reel in his rivals headed by second favourite Hoegaarden.

Playing God lived up to his odds on quote when he won by over two lengths in a performance that impressed his connections, headed by trainer Neville Parnham.

“He proved today he was probably the better three-year-old going around,” Parnham noted.

“The distance wasn’t an issue to him.”

“He probably finished up in a position where he was a little worse than we would have liked – or pre-race thought he would have to be.”

“But it worked out very good for him. He got to the outside and he was able to come with that swooping run that he’s got.”

A graduate of the Smith family’s Durham Lodge, Playing God was purchased by Parnham for Colin Loxton’s Cocktaoo Valley Syndicate for $27,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

His impressive record reads out at four wins and two placings from just eight starts and earnings of over $309,000.

Playing God ($1.85 fav) raced away late to beat the second favourite Hoegaarden ($4.40) by two and a quarter lengths.

Joesready ($16) was another half length back in third place.

Parnham said he was looking forward to running Playing God and his brother God Has Spoken in the Kingston Town Classic (1800m).

“They’ll both run next week and both will be excellent chances. Obviously the three-year-old with the weight he will be carrying – he’ll be the favourite (between the two).”

“But at the end of the day it will be a good contest.”

“This guy has probably got a better turn of foot than God Has Spoken had (in the race last year) and with the 52 kilos he had last year he was able to sprint home well behind Sniper’s Bullet.”

Playing God and God Has Spoken are both group winners produced by the grand Rubiton mare Dolly Will Do.

The Durham Lodge team are preparing a draft of 28 for Febuary’s 2011 Perth Yearling Sale – 14 of them by Blackfriars – the sire of Playing God.

Winner: Playing God (Blackfriars-Dolly Will Do)
Race: WATC Aquanita Stakes LR (1800m)
Sold for: $27,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Durham Lodge
Buyer: Parnham’s Racing Stable
Earnings: $309,200
Owner(s): Cockatoo Ridge Synciate (Mgr: CW Loxton)
Trainer: Neville Parnham (Ascot)