Battle of the young Gods goes to West Star as Miller’s three-year-old beats September Born for early title

The awaited clash between Playing God three-year-olds West Star and September Born in the Listed $125,000 MacMahon Belgravia Stakes (1200m) at Ascot delivered on every promise, with West Star emerging triumphant over his archrival. After betting twists throughout the week, West Star closed the $2.50 favourite from September Born and although they were barely separable in betting, the two could hardly been further from one another at race start. From gate one, West Star vaulted forward to be a contender for the early lead, while September Born was under immediate restraint to be second last in the opening furlong. With pressure supplied by stablemate Horcrux ($18), rider Chris Parnham chose to take cover on the speedy sort and ended up in third place. With 800m to go, the tempo momentarily steadied and allowed September Born to slide closer, though his hoop Brad Parnham was seemingly at pains to save the colt’s finishing burst. When Horcrux committed for home at the 450m, West Star slithered his way into the clear and made his run with Siren Assault ($6), while September Born was forced six-wide and five lengths down. By the 200m, Chris Parnham asked West Star to quicken, and the gelding responded to take up the running as September Born began to erupt down the centre. With 100m left, West Star still had nearly two lengths in hand, yet September Born’s shadow was drawing ever nearer. But time was running out and the tactical advantage of West Star’s barrier proved the difference, with Simon Miller’s charge holding on to win by a neck. “I thought he was brave,” Miller said. “You ride him conservatively and he lets rip with ridiculous sectionals, and today we use the gate to put him on top of the speed at 1200m. “Barriers play a part, and we won the day. “He’s a high-class horse and I think he’s a miler and Chris thinks he’s a sprinter. “Off today, he’s a sprinter, but I think if you come back a few pairs, he gets further. “I was looking at September Born rattling late and I was like ‘righto, maybe Chris might say we’re a sprinter so we avoid it’. “It’s a really good bunch of three-year-olds at the moment, so you’ve got to be on your game.” Miller has the unenviable decision of targeting either the $125,000 Fairetha Stakes (1400m) in two weeks, or the $500,000 Placid Ark (1200m) in three. “It’s a tricky one. If you come out a few pairs back, maybe he lets rip quicker, or maybe he’s just effective at short course,” Miller said. “Until you get it wrong, you don’t really learn in regards to horses. “He’s just so bulletproof – you can go forward or back – so we haven’t figured out what his strengths and weaknesses are yet.” The leading trainer lauded local stallion Playing God on his feature race quinella. “I’ve only had two (of his progeny) and they’ve both won Stakes races,” Miller said. “They’re a hard horse to buy; they’re like a box of Favourites. “I looked at every Playing God this year on their own and I couldn’t have half of them, yet they’ll win races, so there’s no rules.” September Born’s jockey Brad Parnham lavished praise on the effort of the runner-up. “He was enormous,” he said. “He just got killed a bit by the barrier and there wasn’t a spot for me. “He’ll be one to look out for.”