Whistling Win gave underrated jockey John Sundradas a lucky pick-up ride in the second Leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series
He was meant to be ridden by John Powell, but when the latter had to forego his
rides, Leticia Dragon did not have to look high and low for a replacement.John Sundradas was the one who actually rode Whistling Win at his barrier trial on April 11 when third to Mokastar, and it made sense to stick to a jockey who has already had a first-hand idea what was under the bonnet.
Whistling Win jumped fast and was up on the pace all the way before forging clear to win by two lengths.
"Johnny could not make the weight today and even at his barrier trial. Leticia asked me to help then, and I was only too happy to jump on," said Sundradas.
"After the trial, I told Leticia she had a nice horse even if he was not 100%. When she told me she would give the ride to Johnny, I said I understood, but she did say she would put me on another two-year-old.
"In the end, she had just Whistling Win. But as it turned out, Johnny could not make it. It was a lucky pick-up ride and I took my chance.
"He was always very relaxed even if he could not cross over. When Nunes' filly (Bringer Of War) came beside us, that kept him going.
"He gave a very nice acceleration in the straight. He's still learning what racing is all about and he will keep improving with more race experience."
Whistling Win will now aim higher.
"That horse showed a lot of potential from Day 1," said Leticia Dragon.
"He showed he was very forward in his barrier trial. I've got a couple more two-year-olds coming around, but he was the one who was the most forward.
"I will now set him for the Group 2 race. I had a good two-year-old in Rising Empire before and I hope this one can make it, too, though it's too early to tell."
Bred by Raheen Stud, Whistling Win is a sale
ring veteran having been sold by Raheen Stud as a weanling at the MM National
Weanling Sale for $28,000 to Rushton Park, who then sold him at the Adelaide
Magic Millions for $47,000 to Woodpark Stud, who then sold him at the 2YO's in
Training Sale for $80,000.Whistling Win is a half-brother to stakes-winner Too Good to Refuse and is the third winner for Alyssa Jean, a half-sister to stakes-winners Royal Delight and Conquered Dream.
Raheen Stud sold her current yearling, another colt by Golden Archer, for $100,000 at Magic Millions this year to Desleigh Forster.
Alyssa Jean has a weanling colt by Rothesay and is due to foal to Deep Field.
Whistling Wind is the fifth winner for Raheen Stud's promising young sire Golden Archer, a Group III winning son of Rock of Gibraltar (IRE).
