Gods smile on Geisel Park

Tuesday, 23 August 2016 - War God (War Chant) and Sweet Ora (Oratorio) completed a running double for Geisel Park at Belmont last Saturday.

They both graduated from the Perth Magic Millions as yearlings but that’s where the similarity ends. War God took 16 starts to break his duck in the Our Town Maiden (1200m) while Sweet Ora made it 3 wins from 5 starts in the Tabtouch Plate (1000m).

Geisel Park owner Eddie Rigg is a shareholder in War Chant (USA) and he kept an interest after selling War God for $35,000. Yarradale owner Ron Sayers and Oz Racing manager Bruce Saxild are also in the gelding.

“Neville (Parnham) never lost faith in the horse,” Saxild said. “He doesn’t keep them in the stable costing owners their money unless he believes they are worthwhile.”

Several of the part-owners didn’t share Parnham’s patience and sold out before the breakthrough. The gelding had put the writing on the wall at Pinjarra earlier this month when he flew home from last to finish fourth behind Sirius Prospect.

War God is out of Woodlands homebred Hallelujah (Twig Moss) and the mare arrived in Western Australia via Lyndhurst Stud in Queensland. The best of her stock has been LR Sydney Premier’s Cup winner Domine.

Sweet Ora is by Mungrup Stud champion Oratorio and was bred and sold by Rigg. Her dam Blondine (Danehill) foaled LR Hareeba Stakes winner La Famelia (Strategic) before transferring to WA. The mare has a 2yo colt named Portalian (Frost Giant).

Sweet Ora cost $15,000 out of the Geisel Park draft at the 2015 Perth Magic Millions and has earned over $121,300 for Mingenew couple Rod and Tania Cosgrove. She is related to champion sprinter Schillaci.