Whiting rides timely double on cup day
Jockey Jason Whiting moved within striking distance of Great Southern Jockeys’ Pre-miership leader Shaun McGruddy after a winning double at Mt Barker Turf Club on Sunday afternoon.
There were no issues with the track that had plagued the club in the past month, but Whiting made his move with McGruddy absent as he scored victories on Messiah and Desert Thorn.

Whiting moves to 10 victories for the season to be within reach of McGruddy (16.5 wins) and Mitchell Pateman (12), who was unable to ride a winner on the eight-race card.
Messiah scored his second win for local trainer Roy Rogers, overcoming a wide gate and turning for home almost last before gobbling up the field to score by half a length in the Shamrock Suffolk Stud Handicap (1200m).
Earlier Whiting had saluted on the Peter and Matt Giadresco-trained Desert Thorn, which is now up for sale after breaking his maiden status.

Developing stayer Toru Waimarie bounced back from a disappointing effort last start to win the Southern Haulage Industries Handicap (1850m) by a nose over American Joy after the pair had a terrific battle in the final 100m.
Local hoop Natasha Faithfull was successful on Sir Vatican for Esperance trainer Shelia Oorschot in race four, while top senior rider Daniel Staeck opened the Mt Barker Cup day card by winning the first two races with Happy Harry and Toroteija.

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