He looks like a ghost and has the bookies running scared.
The White Hope was the scene stealer at Eagle Farm on Saturday when he clocked a sizzling 1:21.57, smashing the 1400m class record as a $1.40 favourite.
The giant grey gelding, who has provided some nightmare results for bookmakers in recent weeks, now has won four races from only five starts with his only defeat on a heavy track at his first start.
Trainer Matthew Dunn believes The White Hope is the best horse he has trained and is looking at the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 12 as a likely goal.
“From the first time I put him down in a trackwork gallop I knew how good he was,” Dunn said.
“The original plan of the owners was to sell him to Singapore but I encouraged them to keep him and find something else to sell.
“Every time we step him up he goes to a new level and it’s just my job to keep him in once piece.”
Glen Colless said Dunn deserved plenty of credit for transforming The White Hope from a rogue into a genuine feature race contender.
“He was a bit of a mongrel in the early days but Matty has done a great job to turn him around,” Colless said.
The White Hope has a high cruising speed according to Colless, but is able to conserve energy during his races.
“He gives me a terrific feel and from the half mile to the corner he got into a really nice rhythm,” he said.
“When I asked him to quicken I could really feel him lift underneath me. The day I put a few around his tail he will find a few lengths.”
Colless injured his right foot in a barrier incident at Doomben on Wednesday but was determined to ride The White Hope at Eagle Farm.
“I’m pretty sore but it was worth it and he’s the reason why I wanted to get here today,” he said.
After weighing in, Colless was stood down from his remaining Eagle Farm rides after his injured foot became swollen.
