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Whittington's looming stud career received a timely boost when he recorded a record-breaking win in the Listed Lighting Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
The rising five-year-old by Tale of the Cat from Maha Chakri (Beautiful Crown) is to start study duties in the spring at Grandview Stud in Queensland.
Now prepared by John Thompson after starting his career with Gai Waterhouse Whittington showed a return to the form that made him as a star as a 2YO in Sydney when he zoomed home from last along the rails to win the 1050 metre sprint by a dominant two lengths.His time of 59.50 seconds shaved 0.31secs off the course record
Whittington’s record now stands four wins from 17 starts with prizemoney nearing $390,000.He was originally purchased as a yearling for $145,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast by syndicator Denise Martin and won his first start in Sydney in the Listed Breeders Plate at Randwick.
He had not won since landing the Magic Millions Sprint at the Gold Coast last year and this led to him being offered for sale in January when he changed hands at the Magic Millions Summer Thoroughbred Sale for $100,000.His new owner Michael Grieve, who purchased him as a stud prospect, said Whittington may race again over the winter carnival before he is retired.
“He's proved himself but we'll see how he pulls up and will consider races like the Eye Liner Stakes and Healy Stakes," Grieve saidWhittington is the second foal of stakes-winning Beautiful Crown mare Maha Chakri, who won the Listed Tasmanian Oaks.
He is one of 98 stakes-winners by accomplished shuttle sire Tale of the Cat, who was a regular visitor to Coolmore Australia. Now aged 21 he is based permanently at Ashmore Stud in Kentucky.