White House out for big payday

A gear change and improved trackwork has given the Hawkes Racing operation confidence that White House can deliver a $100,000 bonus to his owners in Saturday’s Canterbury BMW Inglis Bonus Handicap (1200m) at Canterbury.

The three-year-old resumed with a hard fought second behind Saturday’s rival, Proper Madam, atCaulfield on July 14. That performance followed a debut win in a Werribee maiden back in January.

"He got trapped a bit deep but stuck it out well and his work since arriving up here (Sydney) has improved,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.

"It’s a tough race, it looks very open on paper but he’s definitely come on since he's been here.”

White House will race with the blinkers on for the first time and Hawkes believes the gear addition will "sharpen” up the gelding by Fastnet Rock.

"He’s a horse that’s taken his time to mature and will be a much better conveyance next time in,” he said.

"Even though he’s a Fastnet Rock, I think he’ll get over a bit of ground so the blinkers should help him.”

White House will take home $168,750 if he prevails in Saturday’s 10-horse field. The $85,000 contest also carries a $100,000 bonus as part of the rich Inglis Race Series on top of another $20,000 BOBS bonus on offer.

Top jockey Corey Brown will pilot the galloper from barrier seven.

"He ran at Caulfield for the bonus and that’s why he’s here three weeks later,” he said.

"It’s hard to ignore prizemoney of that nature. We’ll see where he’s at after Saturday (before making future plans). There’s plenty of nice three-year-old races around this time of year.”

Story: Nic Ashman RaceNet