Gai Waterhouse collected early success on Epsom Day when two year olds Whittington and War quinelled the Listed $100,000 NSW Thoroughbred Breeders Plate (1000m) at Randwick today.

Whittington leads home stablemate War in the Breeders Plate at Randwick. Photo by: Steve Hart

The Waterhouse stable was quick to recover after the shock defeat of odds on favourite Sugar Rush in the Listed $100,000 Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes (1000m).

Whittington was heavily backed late in betting and firmed to start $3.20 and was able to overhaul stable mate War over the last 50m to score an easy three lengths victory.

The Tale Of The Cat youngster had been slow away in his Warwick Farm trial when second and jockey Tommy Berry was confident once Whittington jumped cleanly and rocketed out to sit outside the leader.

“He jumped very well today, Could have led on him but didn’t want to gas him. I just let him relax outside the leaders. The best thing about him he eased down,” Berry said.

“I was quite confident at the top of the straight. He had a little look around, give him a couple around the tail and he went on with it. It was great.”

Stablemate War started the $2.60 favourite and after leading into the straight on the fence and tried hard when tackled by Whittington and held on from second from the fast finishing I’m No Phony ($41).