Whittington’s looming stud career received a timely boost when he scored a record-breaking win in the Lighting Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
Jumping from the outside barrier, Whittington ($9) stormed home from last to win running away for two lengths clocking 59.50secs, which shaved 0.31secs off the course record.
Whittington
Whittington started his career with Gai Waterhouse, winning the Breeders’ Plate at his first start but, until Saturday, had not been successful since the Magic Millions Sprint at the Gold Coast last year.
The four-year-old, now trained by John Thompson, will stand at a service fee of $8800 when he serves his first book of broodmares at Grandview Stud, near Ipswich, later this year.
Owner Michael Grieve hasn’t closed the door completely on the rest of the winter carnival for Whittington.
“He’s proved himself already but we’ll see how he pulls up after this race and talk to John about races like the Eye Liner and Healy Stakes,” Grieve said.
Thompson said Whittington has been the victim of bad barriers for most his campaign.
“He’s raced at the top level all his life and it was good to see him back to his best today,” he said.
Jockey Ric McMahon eased back to last on Whittington and rode for luck, taking advantage of a rails run near the 200m.
“He’s got a mind of his own but John has got him flying at the moment,” McMahon said.
“When everyone drifted off the fence in the straight he got the run through and was too good for them.”
A minor protest by fourth placegetter Thinkhesaurus against third-placed The Storeman for interference in the straight was dismissed.
