Old Comrade Stakes – 2022

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are only six runners for the $125,000 Old Comrade Stakes. It’s quite incredible that four of them are sired by Playing God. There are five geldings and a mare with one five-year-old, one five-year-old and four six-year-olds. Five of the runners had their last start in the Listed Grandstand Cup over 1500m at Ascot on 19 March.

The early favourite is Son Of A God who won the Grandstand Cup by over 1.8 lengths at his latest start, ahead of four of the other runners in this field. Second favourite is Dom To Shoot who was 4th in that race after winning over 1600m at Ascot the start before. Third favourite is Bruce Almighty who came 2nd in the Grandstand Cup but finished 7th behind Dom To Shoot the start before.

Playing Marika resumed after 12 weeks for 3 lengths 5th over 1600m at Ascot and should improve second-up. Coming Around finished 6th in the Grandstand Cup, while Son Of Bacchus finished 7th.

1. Son Of A God

This five-year-old Playing God gelding trained by Simon A Miller has seven wins and six places from 21 starts. He is the early favourite and won the Grandstand Cup by over 1.8 lengths at his latest start, ahead of four of the other runners in this field. Should win.

2. Coming Around

Grant Williams trains this six-year-old Gingerbread Man gelding who finished 6th in the Grandstand Cup. Grant has won this race before with Falcon Crest in 2018 and Moneghetti in 2013. Jockey Patrick Carbery has also won this race before on Daka’s Gem in 2007 and Danny Blue in 2006. In the mix.

3. Dom To Shoot

This four-year-old is the baby of the field. Trained by Sean & Jake Casey he has five wins and 10 places from 25 starts. He has had 4 starts at this track and distance for a win and three places. Placed 4th in the Grandstand Cup after winning over 1600m at Ascot the start before. One of the main hopes

4. Son Of Bacchus

This six-year-old Playing God gelding finished the furthest back of the 5 runners in the Grandstand Cup, running 7th. Trainer Rhys Radford won this race with Great Shot in 2017, but I don’t think he’ll be winning again this year.

5. Playing Marika

The only mare in the field, this six-year-old daughter of Playing God resumed after 12 weeks for 3 lengths 5th over 1600m at Ascot and should improve second-up. She will be ridden by Lucy Warwick who won this race aboard Wink And A Nod in 2016. Should place.

6. Bruce Almighty

Rounds out the quartet of Playing God runners. He came 1.8 lengths 2nd in the Grandstand Cup last start after finishing 7th behind Dom To Shoot the start before where he tired late. Trainer Neville Parnham won this race with Luna Tudor in 2000 and jockey Chris Parnham won this race on Falcon Crest in 2018. Not the worst.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.