Whyte books Tahlia Fenlon for Starsonic ride

By Glenn Davis

Rockhampton carpenter Dale Whyte has run the rule over Starsonic’s last start defeat on his home track and is hopeful the gelding can bounce back at Mackay on Tuesday.

Starsonic – a Tahlia Fenlon mount – steps out in the Open Handicap over 1300 metres and will be aiming to avenge his last effort when he beat only two home in a 1300 metre Open event at Callaghan Park in Rockhampton on January 10.

The six-year-old, who wears a tongue-tie, raced on the speed but faded in the straight to go under by almost five lengths to the Nick Walsh-trained Age Of Innocence.

The Rockhampton-based Whyte is overlooking the defeat, believing a minor virus may have been responsible for his downfall.

“Melea Castle - who rode him last start - said he was a little flat going around to the barriers so I did a blood count of all the stable which detected a small virus like a lot in Rockhampton have had recently,” Whyte said.

“Melea said he wasn’t himself that day and he didn’t want to race.”

Castle rode the gelding at his last three starts and fellow apprentice Fenlon has been handed the assignment this Tuesday afternoon. 

Whyte has a small team of six horses in work with another six in the spelling paddock.

“He’s a free running horse and is going well now, so I expect he’ll be out in front again,” he said.

“He’s got a better record at Mackay than Rockhampton that’s why I’m taking him there but his Rocky record is getting a lot better now.”

Whyte has held a trainer’s license for only two years but did a long apprenticeship working alongside Rockhampton trainers Nick Walsh and Steve Rundle as well as former Townsville trainer Chris Attard.

Before becoming involved in racing, Whyte was a jack of all trades, working in the mines among other occupations.

“I worked for seven years in the mines up here and I worked for two years on a farm and another eight years as a carpenter,” he said.

Whyte paid only $8,000 for Starsonic at an Inglis online sale. 

“He’s one of those horses who is a great bread and butter horse for the stable,” he said.

“He’s won five races for me now and he’s more than paid his way.”