Tommy Berry notched a treble and trainer Gai Waterhouse and syndicator Denise Martin a double when Whittington proved too slick for his rivals in the $200,000 Myer Magic Millions Sprint (1100m) at the Gold Coast today.

Sent out the favourite, Whittington sat on the speed throughout before hitting the front in the straight and holding out his rivals for a strong first up win.

In winning, Whittington broke the track record – covering the 1100 metre trip in a blistering 1 minute 1.77 seconds in beating Emmalene by a neck, while Steel Zip flew home from the rear of the field to run third, another length and three quarters back.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse was thrilled the performance of the son of Tale of the Cat who was racing for the first time since running third in the Heritage Stakes in October.

“He was a really high class young horse and he’s really come of age now,” Waterhouse said.

“We came here to make an impact – not only in the sale ring, but also the racetrack and here we are.”

Waterhouse predicted bigger and better things from Whittington, who will return to Sydney for more short course feature events.

“He’s a very, very good horse and you’ll see him in some of the big sprints.”

The first runner for the stakes winning Beautiful Crown mare Maha Chakri, Whittington was bred and sold by Patinack Farm fror $145,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He was purchased by Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds, the same outfit which also purchased today’s Fillies and Mares Handicap winner Driefontein.

“It’s a great day and it proves that if you do your homework you can find some great horses over the road and have some wonderful success,” Martin said.

WHITTINGTON 
(Tale Of The Cat-Maha Chakri)
$145,000 at 2012 Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Patinack Farm Pty Ltd
Buyer: Star Thoroughbreds