He has claims to the title of Victoria’s most durable horse, but to his regular rider he is simply the best.
Whisper Downs, who came into work last June and had the first run of his current campaign in August last year, won the sixth race of his preparation at Flemington on Saturday – and there is no thought of giving him a spell.
“Why would we, he’s happy and he’s winning,” said trainer David Hayes Melbourne representative Lizzie Jelfs.
“He has a great routine. He’ll go back to Euroa now and into a paddock, have some time on the water walker and then do some work and he’ll be ready again.”
While Hayes has found the key to the gelding’s training program, his jockey Chad Schofield has the raceday routine worked out.
“He’s just the best, week-in-week-out,” Schofield said.
“I’ve really got a soft spot for him, he just tries so hard to please everyone.”
Whisper Downs has won more than $420,000 this preparation and the stable is confident he can pick up a Group race.
“He’s run really well in some good races this autumn and he deserves a good one,” Jelfs said.
Schofield, back in town for the first time since completing a 27-meeting suspension, produced a clever ride on Whisper Downs ($3.20) in the Cleanevent Handicap (2000m) circling the field from last in the middle stages to be poised to make another run from the 300m.
The pair got the better of the leader and favourite Lidari to score by a short neck with another four lengths to third placegetter Zabeelionaire.
