It’s time for Whypeeo
DOOMBEN
TRAINER Toby Edmonds is hoping Whypeeo can score a morale-boosting win at Doomben in the Open Handicap today and live up to his early promise.
Whypeeo won two stakes races as a three-year-old and ran second to Champagne Cuddles in course-record time in the Gold Coast Guineas last winter.
It was this form that prompted Edmonds to take the gelding to Melbourne for the spring carnival.
But Whypeeo didn’t travel well and, after failing twice, was sent for a long spell and didn’t return until May.
He has since mixed his form, while at times impressing like his run in the Listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm where he led to the shadows of the post before running second to Victorem on June 8.
The four-year-old then led the field into the straight before folding to finish 10th to Brave Song in the Group 3 Healy Stakes (1200m) two weeks ago.
Edmonds, who has long considered the horse as potentially one of the best in his Gold Coast stables, admits he is becoming frustrated.
He said he had thought of running Whypeeo in the Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton next Wednesday before changing his mind. “After having a good think I believe the Doomben race is the better option,” Edmonds said.
“I am not claiming the win already but this looks a race where he can get a confidence builder.
“I think with some luck he can be very hard to beat and it might set him back to better races.
“There is no doubt at his best Whypeeo is up to stakes races in the south. But he will need to show us he is getting back there by running well on Saturday.”
Glen Boss will ride Whypeeo for the first time in today’s 1200m race.
“From barrier four Glen should be able to give him every chance,” said Edmonds, who looks set to add to his 101 overall winners this season with several chances today.