By Tom Frary
In need of a change of ploy after a third straight defeat in Deauville's G2 Prix de Pomone, St Albans Bloodstock's God Given (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) showed the benefit of a switch to hold-up tactics as she registered a career-best success in Thursday's G2 DFS Park Hill S. at Doncaster. Ridden with considerable restraint by Jamie Spencer despite the slow pace up ahead, the 5-1 shot was travelling best in early straight and after joining battle with her G2 Lancashire Oaks conqueror Horseplay (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) got the better of her in the last half furlong to score by a neck, with the same margin back to the G2 Lillie Langtry S. winner Pilaster (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in third. “In the Lillie Langtry she was a bit keen in front and so we thought we'd be a bit careful over this mile-six,” trainer Luca Cumani said. “The plan was if she didn't win today we'd have gone to France for a group two on Arc weekend, but now she's got that her last race will be at Ascot [for the Oct. 20 G1 Qipco Champions Fillies and Mares S.].”
Showing prowess and a willing attitude from the front when taking the G3 Prix Minerve over 12 1/2 furlongs at Deauville last August, God Given had plenty of use made of her when capturing the G3 Pinnacle S. over a mile and a half at Haydock June 9 and when runner-up to Horseplay in the Lancashire Oaks. Committed a long way out when fourth to Pilaster in the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood Aug. 2, she was again picked off late returning to Deauville for the Pomone 17 days later. Spencer was determined to give her more time here and with Flattering (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) failing to set the kind of frantic pace expected she was one of several in line with real prospects two out. In the end, it was the older fillies who fought it out with the three-pound penalty Horseplay was shouldering as a result of her Lancashire Oaks success proving the difference.
Horseplay's trainer Andrew Balding said of the runner-up, “Obviously the penalty has paid, but she battled all the way and I'm delighted with her. Hopefully we'll have a group one opportunity with her in the autumn, possibly in Canada, the Canadian International.” Roger Varian said of Pilaster, “The lack of pace hindered us. She was closest at the finish and just got out-sprinted a little bit. We'd like to go to Ascot for the group one on Champions Day. It's likely it will be on easier ground, which will suit her. Though it's down in trip, it will probably be more of a test than today was.”
God Given is a half-sister to a genuine luminary of recent times in the four-times group 1-winning King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. hero Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Their dam Ever Rigg (GB) (Dubai Destination) is a daughter of the speedier and more precocious G1 Moyglare Stud S. and G2 Lowther S. heroine Bianca Nera (GB) (Salse), who is herself the second dam of the GIII Beverly Hills H. winner and GI Yellow Ribbon Invitational S. runner-up Turning Top (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and the G3 Winter Derby scorer Robin Hoods Bay (GB) (Motivator {GB}). God Given's group-placed third dam Birch Creek (GB) (Carwhite {Ire}) produced the G1 Moyglare Stud S. runner-up Hotelgenie Dot Com (GB) (Selkirk), who in turn boasted the G1 Fillies' Mile and G1 Falmouth S. winner Simply Perfect (GB) (Danehill) among her progeny list. Ever Rigg's 2-year-old full-brother to Postponed named Prejudice (GB) is proving a slow learner after three unplaced efforts for this stable.
Thursday, Doncaster, Britain
DFS PARK HILL S.-G2, £100,000, Doncaster, 9-13, 3yo/up, f, 14f 115yT, 3:09.77, gd.
1–GOD GIVEN (GB), 131, f, 4, by Nathaniel (Ire)
1st Dam: Ever Rigg (GB), by Dubai Destination
2nd Dam: Bianca Nera (GB), by Salse
3rd Dam: Birch Creek (GB), by Carwhite (Ire)
O/B-St Albans Bloodstock LLP (GB); T-Luca Cumani; J-Jamie Spencer. £56,710. Lifetime Record: GSW-Fr, 13-5-2-3, $270,861. *1/2 to Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Hwt. Older Horse-Eur at 9.5-11f, MG1SW-Eng, 2x Hwt. Older Horse-Eng at 11-14f, Hwt. Older Horse-UAE at 11-14f, G1SW-UAE, GSW-Fr & G1SP-Ire, $7,226,764. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Horseplay (GB), 134, f, 4, Cape Cross (Ire)–Mischief Making, by Lemon Drop Kid. O/B-Cliveden Stud (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £21,500.
3–Pilaster (GB), 124, f, 3, Nathaniel (Ire)–Portal (GB), by Hernando (Fr). O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Roger Varian. £10,760.
Margins: NK, NK, 3 1/4. Odds: 5.00, 3.50, 1.20.
Also Ran: Flattering (Ire), Galmarley (GB), Isabel de Urbina (Ire), Sizzling (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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