Gray Williamson farewelled Playing God in 2020 after a half-dozen seasons at Mungrup Stud but he’s maintained numerous links with the champion sire like Saturday’s Ascot winners Bruce Almighty and Red Tori.
Williamson bred both gallopers when Playing God stood for $6,000 and $11,000 respectively. His services have since increased to $49,500 and it may go even higher with recent books being capped by managing owners Darling View Thoroughbreds.
Bruce Almighty arrived in his first book in the Great Southern and improved his record to 9 wins in 74 starts for earnings over $596,000 in the TABtouch Hcp (1600m). “It’s been a great prep and he never lies down,” trainer Neville Parnham said after the 9yo veteran fought back under Chris Parnham to hold out Ginger Green (Gingerbread Man).
“I thought he would lead today but Chris took a trail and it was a big job to carry 60.5kg. He enjoys his racing and the racing environment. We look after him and there’s no reason why we can’t squeeze another win out of him. He’s no good at Belmont and saves his best for Ascot but we will have to start thinking about where we go from here.”
Chris Parnham rates the veteran as one of his favourite horses and they’ve combined for 9 wins since an Ascot maiden in February 2020. “We go back a long way and I love him. He raises the bar every prep. I remember riding him in his first barrier trial at Belmont. He pulled up shinny and I didn’t think he was any good.
“That was before Playing God had done anything at stud. He’s close to the finishing line now and hopefully we can make it 10 wins together before he’s retired.”
Bruce Almighty is owned by an Oz Racing Syndicate and Playing God sired him from Isanami (Tayasu Tsuyoshi) who won the G3 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1600m) in 2005 for trainer John McArdle.
Red Tori was conceived in Playing God’s final year at Mungrup Stud and she notched a third win in 17 starts in the Westspeed Platinum Hcp (1400m). Trainer Stephen Miller is hoping she can take the next step and become a genuine Saturday horse.
The 4yo mare circled the field on the corner and took over to score by more than a length from Blazing Emerald (Sessions) and Stylish Lord (Playing God). “She’s been a bit unlucky but everything panned out in her favour today,” Miller explained. “She’s relaxing much better now and Brad (Parnham) was positive sitting three-wide with cover.”
Red Tori is raced by a large syndicate that includes Gray Williamson and the introduction of Playing God has enhanced the family’s pedigree. The nearest black-type under her dam Konditori (Oratorio) goes back to 1988 Group 1 winner Sakana (AJC Spring Champion Stakes).
She carries the Playing God – Oratorio cross that has produced 36 individual winners at an outstanding 84% strike-rate led by Bustler (G1 Railway Stakes) and Ex Sport Man (G2 Karrakatta Plate).
Williamson has entered four yearlings for next week’s Perth Magic Millions Sale under the Mungrup Pty Ltd banner comprising colts from Cascada (Lot 6), Cowgirl Claire (Lot 21), Get No Answers (Lot 47) and Majantic (Lot 82).