Darling View Thoroughbreds champion Playing God sired his 19th black-type-winner at Ascot on Saturday and it wasn’t before time for Comfort Me in the G3 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m).
Comfort Me had already been a Group 1 runner-up on two occasions in the Railway Stakes and, all up, he had been Stakes-placed 7 times before the breakthrough for owner-breeders Frank and May Edwards.
Racing first-up since June, he also ended a run of outs stretching back 22 starts to when he beat all bar Western Empire in the 2021 Railway. “He’s come up really well this prep but it’s been a long time coming,” trainer Rhys Radford said. “We got a bit of luck from the draw and it was a gun ride out in front from Holly (Watson).
“We’ve had to be patient but I’m just so proud of him.”
Comfort Me (8g Playing God – Southern Comfort by Comfy) kicked clear of fellow veteran Valour Road (Front Giant) at the top of the straight and was punched out to score by over a length from Super Smink (Super One) and Magnificent Andy (Magnus).
He immediately firmed into $17 for this year’s renewal of the Railway Stakes on November 23. Radford won the Group 1 mile for the same owners with Great Shot (Magnus) in 2017.
“He found the top with ease and was in a world of his own today,” Watson said. “He hasn’t won in such a long time but was primed for this race. Rhys has done such a great job and this horse is just amazing.”
Comfort Me has banked $1.33 million since winning a Bunbury maiden on debut in February 2020. He’s the final foal of Belmont winner Southern Comfort who descends from LR Perth Stakes (1200m) winner Wild Touch (Haulpak).
Playing God (Blackfriars) sired him from a second-crop that was conceived off a $4,400 service fee. That crop numbered just 28 foals and was headed by G1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) winner Kay Cee.
Darling View Thoroughbreds stands Playing God for $49,500 with Splintex ($11,000) and Lightsaber ($6,600). Service fees (inc GST). Stud manager Brent Atwell can be contacted for bookings or more information on 0408 648 100.