A change of luck for Brisbane trained mare Whateverwhenever saw the five year old take out the Group 3 $150,000 Sportingbet Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today.

Whateverwhenever and McClintock

Whateverwhenever (outside) turned around their luck to win the Moonga Stakes from more fancied rivals. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Craig Williams was able to secure a trouble free run bringing the Liam Birchley trained Whateverwhenever from midfield to slice in between runners to hold out the favourite King’s Rose to win by a neck with pacemaker McClintock holding for third.

Whateverwhenever featured in the stewards’ report after finishing sixth to Instinction in the Listed BMW Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last week.

The report stated that Whateverwhenever failed to obtain a clear run in the home straight between the inside running rail and another runner and subsequently went to the winning post not being fully tested.

Stable representative Brad Berwick wasn’t surprised that Whateverwhenever could turn around last weeks’ unlucky run and is looking forward going to Flemington and hoping for some rain to arrive.

“This mare’s sort of jumped out of the ground this time in on firm tracks. She’s normally a really really good wet tracker but she’s flying,” Berwick said.

“Mares in form they just seem to hold it. She was pretty unlucky last week, I don’t know if she would have beaten the winner, she let down well today.”

“She’ll go onto Flemington now and if the skies open up we’ll be in the money again.”

Berwick was impressed with the way Whateverwhenever went to the line beating a top quality mare in King’s Rose from the Peter Moody stable and suggested that Birchley might have to raise the bar.

Luke Nolen settled King’s Rose in the second half of the field with McClintock setting a fair pace and after pulling the mare wide on the corner ran home down the middle of the track but was unable to overhaul the winner.

King’s Rose was heavily backed and started the $2.15 favourite while Whateverwhenever started at the good odds of $17.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.