Consistent Playing God mare God’s Grin had been placed in all three starts this season at Bunbury (2) and Northam before breaking through as an odds-on favourite in the Active Plumbing Maiden (1400m) at Geraldton on Wednesday.

God’s Grin worked early to settle between on-pace runners Noble Touch (Gingerbread Man) and End Result (Sessions) before kicking clear in the straight.  “She looked home and hosed until a spirited finish from Latorio (A Lot) made things awfully close on the line.” Pearce Racing reported.  “However, God’s Grin responded to Tash Faithfull’s urgings and was able to hold on and score by a head.

“There appears to be more wins in store for this mare and Queenslea Park.”

God’s Grin will also be a welcome addition to the broodmare ranks for Aaron Morton when she retires to Queenslea Park in Pingelly.  He bred the lightly-raced daughter of Playing God and races her in partnership with his wife Michele, sister Alexandria, brother Tim and mother Helen.

She is one of five winners to date from Soldier’s Smile and her final foal is a 2yo filly by Maschino.  The filly is at the breakers and is a nice, rangy type who will probably get over ground.

“God’s Grin will also appreciate longer distances than that maiden over 1400m,” Aaron predicted.  “She’s got a motor and can graduate to city racing.  She got to the front at Geraldton and then started looking around so blinkers might also help.”

Her second-dam Leica Smile (At Talaq) was bred by Yarradale Stud and Adam Sangster (Swettenham Stud) to win the Group 1 SAJC Australasian Oaks (2000m) in 1996.  It’s a celebrated family going back to the 1970s with Group 1 WA Derby winner Leica Lover (Latin Lover) and Group 1 VRC Oaks winner Leica Show (Showdown).

Yarradale also leased their mare Classic Smile (Bletchley Park) to Aaron’s parents Allan and Helen in 2012 to produce Dainty Tess.  The War Chant (USA) filly was trained by Aaron’s nephew Dan Morton to garner Group 3 wins in Adelaide and Perth for earnings over $1 million.