After settling midfield in a 1000m trial, the 2023 Railway Stakes winner closed off strongly to finish within two lengths of Wind And The Lion, signalling a promising return to work.

Though the gelding didn’t win last campaign, he wasn’t far away in four major Group races, including the Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) and Hyperion Stakes (1600m), as well as the Northerly Stakes (1800m) and Gold Rush.

Jockey Steven Parnham said Monday’s trial exceeded expectations and showed the gelding had come back well.

“He’s typically not that great at the trials,” Parnham said on TABradio. “He tends to leave it for race day. But he’s working as good as ever and has probably gained a bit more maturity.”

Trained by Parnham’s father Neville, the Playing God gelding will be aimed toward familiar races including the Belmont Sprint, which he won last year, and the Hyperion Stakes.

Parnham said the Northam Stakes (1300m) is also under consideration depending on how the stable assesses the trial.

“He probably trialled better than we expected. When he gets to the races, he’ll be ready,” he said.

Also on track for a Stakes target is Deltason, who booked his spot in the WA Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) after an impressive win at Ascot in the Reliable Asset Maintenance Plate.