Baby Paris outclassed a strong field of older campaigners while leading home a quinella for Darling View Thoroughbreds sire Playing God in the $200,000 The Joey (1200m) at Ascot.

The Colin Webster-trained 3yo filly pinched a winning break in the straight and had enough in reserve to nail Saturday’s The Quokka consolation by a nose from fast closer Comfort Me.  Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win) also powered home to finish a close third first-up since the G2 Perth Cup (2400m) in January.

It had been twelve months to the day since Baby Paris was runner-up to Amelia’s Jewel in the 2022 Karrakatta Plate.  That was the only loss in her first five starts topped by a Placid Ark Prelude (1000m) victory in October.

Baby Paris (3f Playing God – War In Paris by War Chant) was placed first-up in the Rock Magic Stakes (1000m) in March but was never in the call last time out in the G3 Roma Cup (1100m).  It was a forgive run given the circumstances and she made amends in front of a big crowd after firming into $4.40.

“She’s a wonderful little filly but drew the outside barrier and never got into the race in the Roma Cup,” Webster said.  “It was a different story from a better barrier today.  She got a good position all the way and fought on well in the straight.”

Baby Paris is a homebred for Kalgoorlie trainer Gary Bowen and is the only foal from War In Paris (War Chant).  Her dam died shortly after delivery and she was bottle-fed and then fostered on to another mare at Mungrup Stud.

Like a lot of orphans, she can be a handful but is now better-behaved at the barriers.  “I’ve done a fair bit of work with her and we put the browband on today,” jockey Troy Turner said.  “She can still get a bit excited and Gary thought she would jump cleaner with it back on.”

Playing God (Blackfriars) will take catching at the top of the WA sires’ premiership this season.  Baby Paris followed Ex Sport Man and Cobbanco the previous Saturday at Ascot and Mojo Rhythm & Devil Girl also doubled at Pinjarra on Wednesday.