The genius of trainer Neville Parnham turned the attitude of Playing God to enabled him to take a consecutive Group 1 $500,000 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot today.
The four-year-old hadn’t won since February and had raced since August which took in Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
The best Playing God could manage in Melbourne was third in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in early October behind December Draw.
He failed to place at three subsequent runs which appeared to be getting worse – a 6th, 11th and last start 14th at his first start back in Perth in the Railway Stakes a fornight ago.
“I sent him down to my farm for the past couple of weeks,” Parnham said.
“ He’s been in a paddock all the time and he’s really enjoyed that.
“He’s been going to the beach and I’ve just tried to freshen him up and that seems to have worked very well.
“He came to the track on Tuesday morning and that’s his only (track) workout since the race (Railway).
While Parnham did his job, so did his son Steven, who rode a perfect race.
Wolfe Dreams was the first casualty of the Classic when scratched at the barrier after hitting his head on the gates.
The David Hayes-trained Spacecraft led Mega Steel with Playing God third with cover after 300m.
Three-year-old King Saul was caught three wide without cover for the first 500m metres before slotting into sixth.
The first move came from Troy Turner on Kincaple at the 800m after being last.
He dashed around them to be fifth and those at the back packed behind him.
They included Luckygray who was third last early and Ranger blocked on the fence.
Peter Knuckey on Spacecraft accelerated 500m out with Mega Steel on its outside.
Playing God stuck close and the trio dropped off Battle Emblem, who settled fourth and Kincaple who both were one paced and a hinderence to those behind.
Parnham took his chance and went to the lead at the top of the straight taking over from the two bolters in front.
By the time Ranger was clear, he gave Playing God five lengths at the 300m.
Ranger was a great run to cut the margin.
Luckygray was wide at the home turn but appeared not to stay out the 1800m strongly.
Playing God joins Summer Beau and Old Comrade to win consecutive Kingston Town Classics.
Niconero and Family Of Man also won two but leaped a year.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | PLAYING GOD | Neville Parnham | Steven Parnham | 5 | 58.5kg | $19 | |
| 2 | 6 | RANGER | Grant Williams | William Pike | 1L | 3 | 59kg | $3.70 |
| 3 | 14 | KING SAUL | Trevor Andrews | Glyn Schofield | 2L | 9 | 52kg | $5.50 |
| 4 | 4 | BATTLE EMBLEM | Grant Williams | Ms Kyra Yuill (a) | 2L | 1 | 59kg | $101 |
| 5 | 11 | LUCKYGRAY | Gino Poletti | Shaun O’Donnell | 3.25L | 13 | 58.5kg | $2.80F |
| 6 | 13 | TRANQUILITY | Grant Williams | Paul Harvey | 3.5L | 10 | 57kg | $14 |
| 7 | 2 | LORDS RANSOM | Grant Williams | Jason Whiting | 3.5L | 6 | 59kg | $51 |
| 8 | 9 | BIG TED | Ivan Haggerty | Jason Brown | 3.5L | 2 | 59kg | $151 |
| 9 | 8 | KINCAPLE (NZ) | Mark Reed | Troy Turner | 3.75L | 11 | 59kg | $16 |
| 10 | 12 | AVIENUS | Mark Webb | Brad Rawiller | 3.75L | 4 | 57kg | $21 |
| 11 | 7 | SPACECRAFT | David Hayes | Peter Knuckey | 5L | 7 | 59kg | $41 |
| 12 | 1 | HADABECLORKA | Brent Larsson | Glenn Smith | 5.75L | 12 | 59kg | $51 |
| 13 | 5 | MEGA STEEL | Bruce McClune | Jarrad Noske | 6.75L | 8 | 59kg | $61 |
| SB | 3 | WOLFE DREAMS | Steve Wolfe | Peter Hall | 0 | 59kg | $101 |
