On Wednesday at Ipswich Johnny Whitesox showed trainer Chris Munce his talent when he won the second race on the day, the RAY WHITE IPSWICH Class 1 Handicap over the 1200metres.

Wearing the colours of Hancox Bloodstock the gelding broke smartly from barrier seven and by the 1000 metres jockey Brad Stewart had him across the rest of the field and onto the inside rail, some 3 lengths behind the tearaway leader Don’t Leave Me Out.  Rather than trying to close the gap between the two favourites Stewart got Johnny to settle into his stride and kept him in second spot and within striking distance of the frontrunner.  By the 600 Don’t Leave Me Out had moved four lengths of Johnny but Stewart did not seem worried as the horse was travelling nicely under a good hold.  Turning into the home straight the leader was still three lengths in front however Johnny was now five lengths clear of the rest for the field and ready to go.  At the 200metre mark Stewart hit the button and, in the blink of an eye, the gelding took off racing past Don’t Leave Me Out and streaking away to cross the finishing line by nearly four lengths in a time of 1:09:58.

After the race Chris said he was very impressed with the win.  ‘He had a soft trial last week and I thought that this race might have come up a bit too soon for him but he showed me today that he is a Saturday class horse.  It was a good patient ride by Brad and he gave the horse every chance to show off his ability.’

The 3year-old bay gelding is by Show A Heart and is out of the Carnegie (IRE) mare La Phillyharmonic and with a race record of 4-2:1:0 Chris believes that that Johnny Whitesox has a great future ahead of him.

Congratulations to all owners and connections.

[Photos courtesy of Grant Peters, Trackside Photography]