3 minute read
Mark Johnston won the Irish Champions Weekend EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy for the first time as Whitman made most of the running to bag the Listed prize.
The Poet's Voice colt travelled sweetly at the head of affairs but looked set to be picked off in the closing stages by the James Bethell-trained filly Chiringuita.
As the pair became embroiled in a thrilling battle, not for the first time it was the Johnston runner who prevailed, coming out on top by a head under Andrew Elliott.
Sent off at 11-4 having finished third in a hot nursery at York last time out behind Richard Fahey's smart prospect Mayfair Lady, Whitman became a first stakes winner for his sire.
"He's going the right way and progressing with each race," said Johnston.
"This can be a difficult track, but because he travelled well he was able to handle the ridges.
"What was pleasing was to see him battle, he stuck on well when he needed to.
"It's great to win a Listed race with him and good for the sire, who is in his first season.
"We won't look too far ahead with him, we'll just take it one race at a time."
Two years ago Fahey's Supplicant won this before going on to land the Middle Park and Johnston hopes to be represented in the latter event by Coventry Stakes winner Buratino.
"What we've said with Buratino is that he won't run again until he has fast ground, wherever that may be," said the Middleham handler.
"In an ideal world that would be the Middle Park, we'll just have to see."
Course specialist Dubai Dynamo (8-1) finally won the Ripon Rowels Handicap for Ruth Carr in the hands of regular pilot PJ McDonald.
Despite this being his fifth course and distance win, the £20,000 handicap had proved elusive until now.
Instant Attraction appeared to have stolen it two furlongs out, but the 10-year-old, having his 142nd race, finished with a flourish to win by a neck.
McDonald said: "Can you believe that is the 60th time I've ridden him, I wish I had a few more like him to ride.
"For him to be still competing at this level at his age is a credit to Ruth."
Carr said: "He's just a legend. For most of the race I thought we might nick some prize-money, but I was shouting like mad at the end.
"He was one of the first horses I had, certainly the first to run in nice races, and for him to be still winning races likes this is incredible."
McDonald had earlier won the opening Sallie Lindley Memorial Selling Stakes impressively on Ann Duffield's Cuppatee (15-8).
A first venture into ownership by Catherine Gledhill, it seems Duffield had to explain more than the intricacies of the racing game to her new patron.
Duffield said: "Her owner bought her privately off Mick Channon and when I sent her the first bill she rang me up in a tizz because she thought it was a one-off fee!
"We're delighted there was no bid as she really didn't want to lose her, she couldn't grasp the concept of running in a seller.
"From never having had a horse, she now desperately wants to keep her."
Classic Seniority (9-2) won the Billy Nevett Memorial Handicap for Marjorie Fife and David Nolan.
"We claimed him out of Richard Hannon's yard, he's been very consistent. We'll just look for something similar," said Fife.
Kevin Ryan's The Wee Barra (4-1) just got the verdict by a nose in the SIS Virtual Betting Channel Handicap.