Brilliant filly Whispering Brook confirmed her status as Western Australia’s best juvenile with a stunning in Saturday’s Group Two $500,000 Amelia Park Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot.
Despite having to work early to get across from a tricky barrier the exceptionally talented filly still proved much too good, beating fellow Magic Millions graduates Spangled Impact and Saul’s Special by a length and three quarters.
It was the fourth win in as many starts for the daughter of Hinchinbrook who was purchased by trainer Simon Miller for connections from the Hillside Thoroughbreds draft at the 2014 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
Her win in the Karrakatta Plate followed victories in the Group Three Gimcrack Stakes, listed Supremacy Stakes and Perth’s first juvenile race last preparation, the Initial Plate.
Whispering Brook was one of five runners in the state’s feature juvenile for Miller. He also saddled up the fourth and fifth placegetters Caipirinha and Speeding Comet.
“Gee it was fun,” a delighted Simon Miller said. “I actually came to the races and I was so relaxed because I was so proud of my staff – all of the way through we’ve had so much fun.”
“The scary thing is, she (Whispering Brook) just keeps coming on. Every time she has raced this time in from her trial to her next start to the next she kept coming on and improving.”
“It’s just a good feeling,” Miller added. “My staff and I have so much fun at work and they make it so enjoyable and I’m just proud of them as well.”
“I’ve got a great bunch of owners as well. I bought this filly as a weanling and the other ones have gone well.”
Miller said the quality youngster had pulled up well from the Karrakatta and would most likely run in Saturday week’s $200,000 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) before heading for a spell.
Winning rider Peter Knuckey had all day to work out his plans with Whispering Brook. Surprisingly it was the top rider’s only ride for the day.
The win was the second in the Karrakatta Plate for Miller after preparing another Magic Millions graduate Night War to victory in 2011.
Whispering Brook carries the colours of the Macalister family and she has now earned over half a million dollars from her four starts.
She is the latest star for rising Yarraman Park sire Hinchinbrook, last season’s champion first season sire who is also a half brother to leading sire Snitzel.
Hinchinbrook’s other recent stakes winning stars have included Press Statement, Samara Dancer and Flippant.
Artful Whisper, Whispering Brook’s dam was placed at three in England and is a daughter of champion sire Machiavellian. She is a half sister to stakes winner High Maintenance and stakes placed Charlotte Bronte.
Further back it is the same family as international Group One winners including Pas de Reponse, Green Tune, Dr Zic and champion sire Storm Bird.
Winner: Whispering Brook
Breeding: Hinchinbrook-Artful Whisper (Machiavellian)
Race: WATC Karrakatta Plate G2 (1200m)
Sold for: $45,000
Sale: 2014 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Hillside Thoroughbreds
Buyer: Aquanita Racing
Earnings: $505,350
Owner(s): Mr AR Macalister, Mrs BA Macalister, Mrs K Wardle, Mr C Macalister & Mr RD Lear
Trainer: Simon Miller (Ascot)