News

Whobe Back With Blamey Win

13th Mar 2011

Racing And Sports - Saturday, 12 March 2011

Class galloper Whobegotyou scored his maiden home track win in today's Group 2 Blamey Stakes at Flemington.

Although boasting an almost unblemished record at a mile and over $3 million in the bank, Whobegotyou had never won at his home course.

He had only tried twice with two second placings but today he looked perfectly placed in the set weight and penalties race over a mile.

After a slashing fresh-up run when a narrow second behind More Joyous in the Futurity Stakes, he opened in betting odds-on and was heavily backed in the 48 hours since, as the only horse punters wanted to be on.

And in his usual fast finishing style, he left his followers with a few nervous moments as he took forever to arrive but always looked likely to do so.

Drawing wide jockey Damien Oliver settled second last as Doubtful Jack made the speed.

That galloper turned in front but was quickly joined by the second favourite Dao Dao who drew to the lead.

Whobegotyou, sneaking closer around the bend, began to range up and that pair settled down to fight out the final furlong.

Dao Dao, as always, fought on well but the favourite forged ahead close to the line for a narrow win.

Trainer Mark Kavanagh was thrilled to have the gelding back in winning form as he now turns his attention to Sydney and another tilt at the Doncaster.

“He made hard work of it,” Kavanagh said. “They went a little slower early than I wanted but he finished it off good.

“He's a remarkable horse, really, who has performed at the absolute top level since his three-year-old carnival.

“We've looked after him, giving him three or four races each preparation. We've looked after to the point he can continue on and race in these carnivals each year and that's pretty good fun.

“He'll go up to Sydney now in a couple of weeks and head towards the Doncaster, then he'll spell and be back for the Cox Plate.”

Whobegotyou, a five-year-old by Street Cry, has run in the Doncaster and Cox Plate before and placed in both.

As a three-year-old, the gelding was a tragedy beaten in the 2009 Doncaster when third and remains his lone defeat at a mile from six tries.

He has run in two Cox Plates to date, finishing on from the back in 2009 when sixth behind So You Think, before a fast finishing third behind the same horse last year.

Today's Group 2 success took Whobegotyou's earnings beyond the $3 million mark – a great result as just a $19,500 Inglis yearling.

In the Doncaster Whobegotyou is on the second line of betting with TAB Sportsbet at $7.00. The favourite is More Joyous at $3.40.