WHITTAKER SOLD TO USA INTERESTS
Whittaker, a $100,000 winner for the Mark Jones stable, was sold this week to follow the path of Delightful Memphis and do his future racing in North America.
The Sportswriter-Anarchy entire leaves New South Wales with a 1:52.9 winning mark (1609m) at Menangle.
Now five to NZ and North American time, Whittaker left NZ in October 2017 a winner of four from 12 starts for $31,068.
After transferring to Menangle, he extended his earnings to $105,158 and his career record to 32 starts for 10 wins and 10 placings for Gold Coast owner, Greg Brodie.
His biggest win in New South Wales was the Group Three $40,800 Paleface Adios at Menangle in February in 1:53.9.
The win earned him a spot in the Group One $200,000 Chariots Of Fire a week later, where he ran a creditable fourth behind Jilliby Kung Fu, Let It Ride and Atomic Red,the winner posting a fast 1:48.8.
He ran third in his last Menangle start on July 28 behind winner Loorrim Creek, who won in 1:52.5.
Meanwhile, The Bus ended his busy three-year-old racing after a second to Rock With Sam in a C2+ pace at Albion Park, Brisbane, last Saturday.
“He’ll go out for a six-week spell,” said trainer Mark Jones.
The Bus, a younger half-brother by Art Major to Saveapatrol, won six of 18 NZ starts last season, including the Nelson Cup in January, before heading to Australia.
He ran on well for fourth in the Gr. 1 NSW Breeders Challenge at Menangle on July 1 to star 3YO Ignatius, who held in 1:51.3 (1609m), and was beaten by a tough draw again in Master Moonlite’s Gr. 2 Queensland Derby at Albion Park on July 21.
His record stands at seven wins and 11 placings from 33 starts, for $79,233.