Perth trainer Neville Parnham is flying Playing God across the Nullabor for the Orr Stakes but has already conceded that he can’t stop the winning run of Black Caviar.
“I am looking forward to Saturday but obviously he is not going to beat her,” Parnham said.
He said Playing God, tuned up with a barrier trial win at Ascot on Monday, had the St George Stakes (1800m) on February 25 and the Australian Cup (2000m) on March 10 as his premier autumn targets.
“So long as he runs an even race and is working to the line like a miler and middle distance horse should do on Saturday, I will be happy,” Parnham said.
Playing God was sharp in his strong 1000m trial and after sitting outside WA Guineas winner King Saul went home better to score.
Group Two Lee Steere Stakes winner Ranger, who is entered for the Orr but is more likely to start in Saturday’s Carlyon Cup (1600m), was third in the trial.
Only 12 horses are nominated to challenge Black Caviar including Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed.
Bart Cummings-trained stayers Illo and Precedence, along with Lloyd Williams-owned 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient and 2011 Underwood Stakes placegetter winner Midas Touch are also entered.
Black Caviar’s stablemate Doubtful Jack is likely to line up again after being placed twice behind her, including last start when third in the Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on January 27.
Parnham said Playing God would fly to Melbourne on Wednesday morning.
“He had a little bit of a blow after the trial but he recovered very quickly,” Parnham said.
“That will bring him on and he will be ready to go around on Saturday for sure.”
Playing God has won seven of his 22 starts and last autumn was third in both the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) and the Australian Cup.
He was competitive in the spring when third to December Draw in the Group One Turnbull Stakes (2000m) after finishing fourth in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and fifth in the Group One Underwood Stakes (1800m).
Parnham regrets his decision to back Playing God up a week after the Turnbull in the Group One Caulfield Stakes (2000m) which resulted in him finishing sixth and compromising his chances in the Cox Plate where he finished 11th.
“If I had my time over again I wouldn’t have done that, and given him three weeks into the Cox Plate,” Parnham said.
Playing God had four weeks break after winning the Group One Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot on December 3 and Parnham is excited about how much more mature the horse is this campaign.
“He has always been a bit back backward but you will find a different horse when you see him this time,” Parnham said.
“With that little bit of time out he seems to be getting stronger and better and I am confident this will be his best year.”
“Where I take him after the Australian Cup is questionable but he may go straight to the paddock because I want to give him a good break before the bringing him back for the spring in Melbourne.”
AAP TURF
