Trainer Trevor Whittington believes a $6000 investment made 13 years ago by owner Warren Roper can reap rich rewards during the upcoming Brisbane winter carnival.
Roper outlaid the money for a Canadian Silver mare named On The Run whose racing career ended with two wins and four placings from 14 starts.
On The Run was trained by Whittington who believes one of her progeny, Run With Me, can emerge as a serious winter contender following his assignment in the Listed Queensland Day Three-Year-Old Plate (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.
“Run With Me shows he’s got enough ability to be a winter carnival chance,” Whittington said.
“I think he can definitely measure up but I’m doubtful he’ll stay.
“I’m confident he’ll at least get 1600 metres and possibly 2000 metres but I doubt he’d run 2400 metres so we’re not looking at the Queensland Derby with him.
“A race like the Queensland Guineas is more suitable.”
The Group Two Queensland Guineas has traditionally been run over 1600 metres at Eagle Farm in June but this year will be held over 1400 metres.
Run With me is by New Zealand-based sire Sandtrap.
“I trained On The Run for Warren but she was only a tiny little thing, but very gutsy,” Whittington said.
“We had to send her to New Zealand during the big drought here in the early 2000s and she was mated with Sandtrap.
“Unfortunately it was only recently On The Run had to be put down after she had several foals.
“She went to New Zealand in foal to Piccolo and all of her progeny can run and I think this fellow is pretty good.”
Whittington has trained all of On The Run’s three foals by Sandtrap and another, a two-year-old by Iffraaj, is also in work with the Gold Coast trainer.
Run With Me was beaten only two lengths when fifth to Morning Captain against his own age over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm on March 31.
“He never had much luck last run when the others were hanging in on him coming around the home turn,” Whittington said.
“He got unbalanced and it was his first run for a month and he needed the run.
“I think you’ll see a much fitter horse this time.”
Brad Stewart has been booked to ride Run With Me with regular jockey Paul Hammersley suspended.
