Jason Platts is hoping Irish Whip can help him strike a blow for the hobby trainers in the Group 3 New Sensation (520m) decider this Saturday.
The promising sprinter qualified for the $25,000-to-the-winner final with an impressive 29.86 run in last Friday night’s semi-finals.
Irish Whip was the fourth fastest qualifier and looks to be peaking well for the final after recovering from injury.
ACT-based trainer Platts is delighted with his charge’s progress and believes there is more improvement to come.
“He has shown a heap of ability so far,” he said. “It’s not often you run 29.86 at Wentworth Park and get beaten.
“I think he can go a couple of lengths faster in the final. If he does that, well, who knows?"
It promises to be a super final, with all of the field live chances.
Irish Whip finished third in his heat behind No Donuts and Lord Gee.
Click here to watch a replay of that race.
No Donuts will start as favourite after maintaining his impressive start to racing with that terrific 29.59 semi-final win.
Lord Gee is building a decent record while Estranged ran 29.87 – including what is believed to be a first sectional record of 5.22 at the track – while finishing second behind Aphorism (29.84).
This was only Irish Whip’s fifth start since his debut in November, with a hock injury hampering his progress.
Out of Premier Fantasy x Whip It Up, he ran a superb 25.18 for the 440m at Canberra early in his career – his only victory so far.
Irish Whip showed strong chasing ability to stay behind No Donuts and Lord Gee in the semi-final
“He was a little underdone for his heat,” Platts said. “That was his first 500m in four months.
“He is from staying bloodlines so he is a pretty strong finisher.
"If he is close enough to the leaders down the back straight, I think he’s a chance."
Platts has enjoyed plenty of success in recent years with the likes of Top Class Angel and Twix, who were both handy performers.
He combines training with running a plumbing business and is looking forward to a crack at a Group title.
“There’s a lot of early morning and late nights when you work as well as train,” he said with a grin.
“To win a Group title would be sensational, especially for the owners. It would be one for the hobby trainers out there as well.
“I think Irish Whip can improve and I think he will be in the race.”
