Trainer Simon Miller is excited by the imminent return of Son Of A God, but has bigger plans in mind for his promising four-year-old later this preparation.
Following an impressive trial win at Lark Hill on Monday, the Playing God gelding will return in three weeks, his first appearance since finishing third to Windstorm at Belmont five months ago.
“I thought he went super and he will go into a ratings race over 1200m in three weeks’ time.” Miller told The Races WA.
“The boys who own him are from Bunbury so a race like the Bunbury Stakes (1400m) will be a target.
“But if he goes as well as I think he will then he will be in Listed races before that.”
After an inauspicious debut at Northam when unplaced a year ago, Son Of A God flashed big potential earlier this year with a series of top runs.
Named after his sire and champion Geelong forward Gary Ablett Sr, he won five races from seven starts including four in a row between February and July.
Miller elected for Son Of A God to bypass the Ascot carnival and he’s hoping his patient approach will pay off.
“I don’t think he was mentally ready to target the Ascot carnival and bigger races,” Miller said.
“He would have struggled to compete with the better horses at the top end.
“That was always his downfall, but he is mentally a lot tougher now.”
Ridden by Chris Parnham, Son Of A God fought back and looked to have plenty left in reserve after being headed by Misty Metal in heat three.
He won by two lengths and his time of 55.77sec was the fastest heat of the day.
“He worked to the line strongly and in time,” Miller said.
“It was a good effort to get past Misty Metal who is a 1000m specialist.”
Julio Santarelli