With just a small field of seven runners jumping away in the Listed MRC R.M. Ansett Classic (2415m) at Mornington on Sunday, it was the Glen Thompson trained Whiskey On The Hill (GB) (Ribchester) who took the prize, securing his first black type victory.
Beaten into fifth two starts back, less than two lengths from the winner in the Listed MRC Heatherlie Stakes (1700m), with fellow Ansett Classic runners Scary and Lastotchka (Fr) having finished more than 12 lengths behind him, it was no surprise to see the Glen Thompson trained gelding jump away the favourite.
Assuming his usual role and going forward to lead, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained Bankers Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) was a length or so clear of South Australian visitor The Map (Alpine Eagle), with Whisky On The Hill getting a lovely trail on the fence.
Coming from fourth, one of the first to make their move was the Group 1 VRC Derby runner-up Scary (NZ) (Shocking) who came around the tiring The Map, which left Whiskey On The Hill slightly pocketed behind the leader.
Once clear, Whiskey On The Hill came down the outside of the field under Declan Bates, who fresh from success aboard Pride of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) on Friday night, to record his third Australian victory, and first at black type level.
Having also previously trained Bankers Choice before he moved over to the Hayes brothers, trainer Glen Thompson was slightly concerned with the soft lead he was getting.
“I thought he (Whicky On The Hill) was in a lot of trouble, but it was good to see him get out and the best horse won,” said Thompson.
“He's a horse on the way up. It's good to get a result for a group of owners who have really backed me since everything went down."
The win takes Whisky On The Hill’s overall record to six wins and three third placed efforts from 20 starts with earnings of $300,506.
Originally sold at the 2021 Arqana August Yearling Sale where he was purchased by Avenue Bloodstock for EUR € 50,000, Whisky On The Hill was later offered at the 2023 Tattersalls July Sale where he was secured by Armando Duarte, Paul Moroney and Ballymore Stables for GNS 135,000.
Holding nominations to next Saturday’s Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) and the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), both of which may come too soon for the gelding, the Ninja Lady Partnership-bred Whisky On The Hill is the fourth winner and first stakes winner from five to the races out of the Nayef half-sister to stakes performers Oklahoma City and Cosmic Princess.
Interestingly from the same extended family as Sunday’s shock, Japanese Group 1 The Sprinter Stakes (1200m) winner Win Carnelian (Jpn) (Screen Hero), it is also the family of Godolphin’s Champion Stayer Kayf Tara (GB) who travelled to Australia to contest the 1999 Group 1 Melbourne Cup only to be ruled out due to injury just one week before the race.
Becoming the 11th stakes winner for Iffraaj’s European Champion Miler at 3YO & 4YO in Ribchester, the four-time Group 1 winner has shuttled to New Zealand’s Haunui Farm since 2020 where his best southern hemisphere performers to date are the Group 3 winners Red Card and Krakarib.
