On an afternoon that celebrated the WA breeding industry at Ascot, Champion sire Playing God was not to be denied doubling up with Investmentstrategy in the Westspeed Platinum Sprint (1400m) and Rissoles in the Epona Classic (1200m).
Both winners are from Playing God’s current 4yo crop headlined by Zipaway (G2 WA Guineas), Rope Them In (G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes) and Lord Vampi (LR John Roberts Stakes) among 31 individual winners at an amazing 72% strike-rate.
Investmentstrategy added his name to the black-type brigade with Listed victories in last year’s Fairetha Stakes and Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic before adding another feature race to his career-card on Saturday.
Sent off a $4 favourite, Investmentstrategy improved off a tardy getaway to be in the firing line alongside King Cartel (Universal Ruler) before breaking clear to defeat Forever Dreaming (Snippetson).
“He was in the cheap seats but didn’t have to work into the breeze being so early in the day,” trainer Neville Parnham said. “The drop in class also paid dividends even though that wasn’t his best. But it was good enough.”
Investmentstrategy was gelded during a winter spell and winning jockey Brad Parnham said it was a brave effort to win. “He had no gate speed and did it tough. He was vulnerable but his ability carried us a long way and he’s a handy horse.”
His dam World Class (Manhattan Rain) was a $30,000 buy for agent John Chalmers acting for the late Dick Vincent at the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast. She is now owned by Misty Valley Thoroughbreds breeder Tony Patrizi and he sold Investmentstrategy for $120,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions.
Misty Valley-bred graduate Jazz Affair was also on the mark for Patrizi at Murray Bridge on Saturday. The Demerit mare’s victory in the Chapman Mechanical Hcp (1200m) improved her record to 4 wins in 12 starts for Adelaide trainers Richard & Chantelle Jolly.
Back at Ascot, Rissoles was a resounding winner of the $125,000 Epona Classic (1200m) for Geisel Park owner Eddie Rigg. The Playing God mare handled a rise the class to score convincingly from Malkar Pindari (Gingerbread Man) and Duchess Of Gossip (All American) who was racing in Geisel Park’s second set of colours.
“Once Lucy (Fiore) settled her in the one-out, one-back spot I knew she wasn’t going to get beaten,” trainer Luke Fernie said. “She can be a bit headstrong but continues to improve and I think she has a bright future. We had to pay a decent price for her as a yearling so it’s good see they’re racing for good money here today.”
Rissoles was bred and sold by Rangeview Stud for $85,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions and Rigg races her in partnership with Kevin Johnston and Simon Lill.
Her dam Snitz ‘N’ Giggles (Snitzel) is a winning half-sister to Listed MVRC Carlyon Stakes (1000m) winner Acromantula (Written Tycoon). Second-dam For Your Eyes Only (Bletchley Park) was a Listed winner of a Gimcrack Stakes, Ascot 1000 Guineas and Beaufine Stakes.
Rangeview has catalogued the Long Leaf yearling half-brother to Rissoles as Lot 300 at the Perth Magic Millions in February. Snitz ‘N’ Giggles foaled a Playing God colt in October.