Playing God 3yo filly Nickelplay is the latest addition to Ridgeport Farm’s arsenal for the Ascot summer carnival following her impressive maiden win at Belmont on Wednesday.
Trainer Neville Parnham liked her as a yearling and he’s already looking ahead with a black-type program targeting the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) on November 16. Parnham prepares Nickelplay for his wife Carole and Ridgeport owner Santo Guagliardo together with a partnership that includes Neil and Ben Randall.
“I saw her about a month before the (2023) Magic Millions and she came on and presented really smartly at the Sale,” Parnham recalled. “Our winning bid of $170,000 was at the top-end of what we were prepared to pay but I did mention to Santo that she was one that looked like Kay Cee.”
Parnham trained Kay Cee (Playing God) to a Group 1 victory in the 2019 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) and he’s hoping Nickelplay makes the final field for a Champion Fillies dress-rehearsal in the LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) on November 5.
“She will be coming out of a midweek maiden but couldn’t have done it any better,” Parnham said following the first-up victory over Housewife (Capitalist) and Earthstorm (Calyx). “If she doesn’t get into the Burgess Queen we will be looking elsewhere because she needs another win into the Champion Fillies.
“I told Luke (Campbell) not to overdo things today. There was a lot of interference out there with some kamikaze riding so it was a good steer to miss all that trouble. She let down like a nice horse and really found the line.”
Campbell only climbed aboard Nickelplay after Steven Parnham elected to ride even-money favourite Earthstorm. “The boss gave me the call-up and she has got a world of ability. She started to stargaze when we got to the front and there was more to give if required.
“She’s the type of filly that will get better in better company and good luck to Stevie. He does all the work on her of a morning and it’s his ride.”
Nickelplay was the first-leg of a Playing God – Luke Campbell double at Belmont. They struck again later in the day with Play Dice for Boyanup owner-trainer Dave Hopperton in the Unite Resourcing Handicap (1200m).
Hopperton and his wife Jasmine bred Play Dice from Scampin (Danehill Express) who was a Great Southern winner for Allen McNamara (Snr).
Ridgeport’s summer team is headed by the Parnham-trained Bustler (Playing God) who will be defending his G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) crown on November 23. Adelaide-based filly Kuroyanagi (Written Tycoon) could be another Ridgeport nominee into the Railway.
Kuroyanagi carried Ridgeport’s blue and green diagonal striped colours to a last-start victory in the MRC Thoroughbred Club of Australia Plate (1200m) at Caulfield. Guagliardo will discuss the options of a trip west or staying closer to home with trainers Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea.
A viable alternative is the G1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield a week before the Railway on November 16.
Ridgeport Farm stands Rommel (Commands) for $6,600 alongside Ducimus (Snitzel) at $5,500. Both fees (inc GST). For bookings or more information, contact Marge Ojapold (0497 478 231), Grant Burns (0410 683 470), Steve Hoare (0409 987 970).