Whateley to call the tune at Sandown

After successive wins on the provincial circuit, Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are again keen to test Whateley in the metropolitan area.

The three-year-old is down to run in the Quayclean Handicap (1400m) at Sandown on Saturday having won his maiden and then a Class 1 contest in his past two starts at Cranbourne.

Whately started out his career with two runs at Flemington just shy of 12 months ago.

He did not disappoint in finishing fifth on debut over 1420m on June 22 last year before running seventh in the Listed Gibson Carmichael Stakes (1600m) on July 6.

While Whateley showed he may be looking for ground in his first preparation, the Busuttin and Young team has kept the gelding to shorter trips this campaign.

Resuming from a break, Whateley finished second over 1200m at Caulfield Heath when run down by debutant Terilee before winning past two starts over 1400m at Cranbourne.

“He hasn’t done anything wrong this campaign, but I don’t know if he’s beaten much both times that he’s won,” Busuttin said.

“But in saying that, in his first win, the maiden, I think the Lindsay Park horse he beat looked alright, but I don’t think he beat much at his last start.

“He’s a three-year-old, he’s been racing on the provincials and winning, so it’s time to come back into the city and see if he can be competitive and I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be.”

One thing Whateley is yet to encounter under race conditions is soft conditions.

The Sandown circuit was rated in the soft range at acceptance time on Wednesday with little chance of a significant upgrade.

Busuttin does not think that will pose any problem for Whateley.

“I don’t think a wet track will be a concern even though he hasn’t raced on one at this stage,” Busuttin said.

“He seems to get through it OK in his work.”

Apprentice Tom Prebble takes the ride for the first time on Saturday with his 2kg claim bringing the three-year-old in with 53kg.