Holy Enchantment had been knocking on the door for a feature win since his 3yo days and his connections were finally rewarded in the LR Pinjarra Cup (2300m) on Sunday.
The 6yo son of Playing God was coming off a narrow loss in the LR Bunbury Cup (2000m) but Brad Parnham put an end to those close calls with a well-rated, on-pace ride around Scarpside.
“We only just got beaten at Bunbury and I was confident he would take some beating today. He was comfortable outside the leader and I knew it would take a good one to run over the top of him in the straight.”
Holy Enchantment is trained by Stephen Miller and he also prepares brave runner-up No Apology (Declaration Of War) who kept fighting after being collared by the winner. “We’ve been building for this one since the Perth Cup,” Miller said. “He came through the Bunbury Cup really well and luck has finally come our way.
“I knew he was right after riding another horse in a gallop with him on Tuesday morning. He just rolled along and then moved up to take control. It was similar to today.”
Holy Enchantment is the 18th Stakes-winner by Darling View Thoroughbreds Champion Playing God and he’s shown black-type potential ever since flashing home for third in the 2021 RL Magic Millions 3YO Trophy (1200m) won by Gemma’s Son (Snippetson).
He followed up with another Listed placing in the J C Roberts Stakes (1800m) but didn’t capitalize in the following two seasons. “He had issues and probably lost that turn of foot,” Parnham revealed. “He ran a good race in the Perth Cup and today’s distance was right up his alley.”
Bred by Mungrup Stud, he’s the first foal of Majantic (McFlirt) who is a full-sister to LR Towton Cup winner Global Flirt (2200m). Her 2yo is an unraced filly named Velvet Hands (I’m All The Talk) and Gray Williamson has her yearling filly and weanling colt by Playing God.
Holy Enchantment is bred on the same cross as G1 Kingston Town Classic winner Kay Cee and cost $36,000 at the 2019 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Miller kept a share in partnership that includes Bob Wilson, Trevor Sanders and Arthur Barrett. Sunday’s winning purse increased his career income to $476,000 including Westspeed Bonuses of $85,050.