Nunthorpe is destined for black-type racing this season and Jamie Kah is keen to stay aboard the lightly-raced mare during the Melbourne spring carnival.
The 4yo daughter of Darling View Thoroughbreds champion Playing God provided a comeback victory for Kah in the Fierce Impact – Pedigree Physique Performance Hcp (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
They had combined to win at Cranbourne and Sandown during the Xmas – New Year holidays, however, the champion jockey was subsequently sidelined after sustaining a serious concussion in a fall at Flemington.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the winner’s circle on a Saturday,” Kah said. “Nunthorpe has always given me a really good feel and I love her even more after what she’s done for me today. We had to do a bit work early but she came back under me and relaxed straight away.”
Nunthorpe was purchased by Belmont Bloodstock’s Damon Gabbedy as agent for Victorian-based Dorrington Farm owner Robert Crabtree for $110,000 at the Mungrup Stud Dispersal in August 2020.
Presented as a new-season yearling, she is out of LR Summer Scorcher winner Latoria (Oratorio) who is a half-sister to Dorrington Farm’s Group 1 Oakleigh Plate winner Sheidel (Holy Roman Emperor).
Now owned by Willaview Park, Latoria has a new-season yearling by A Lot (USA) who transferred from Willaview to Westbury Park this year.
Nunthorpe is trained by Peter Moody and Bunbury-born Katherine Coleman at Pakenham. “She’s come on really well from her first-up run when the track at Sandown firmed up too much for her liking,” Coleman explained. “The surface is perfect today and that suited her letting down in the straight.
“She will continue to build through her grades and work on that black-type pedigree without setting the bar too high, too early.”
Playing God also has Alaskan God in Melbourne and trainer Dan Morton has nominated the G2 WA Derby (2400m) winner for two races at Moonee Valley this Saturday including the G2 Feehan Stakes (1600m).
Back home, Playing God is marshalling his big guns for The Pinnacles. Trainer Neville Parnham has two $1.5 million events on the radar for Bustler at Ascot – the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 25 and G3 The Gold Rush (1400m) on December 16.
His 4yo mare Baby Paris didn’t lose any admirers despite an unplaced effort in the Jolly Beggar Stakes (1000m) on Saturday. She bounded on jumping losing ground and was then held up on straightening in the atrocious conditions prevailing at Belmont.
Baby Paris holds a $13 pre-post quote for the G1 Winterbottom Stakes (12000m) at Ascot on December 2.
Playing God (Blackfriars) is Western Australia’s reigning champion sire and Darling View stands him for $33,000 alongside Splintex ($11,000) and Lightsaber ($6,600). Service fees (inc GST).