By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
The tiny little pacer with the huge heart has notched up his eighth win for his North Lakes owners, and longtime Redcliffe Harness Racing Club members, Allan and Maree Whitecross.
The Peter Greig and Patrice Maddern trained, and Nathan Rothwell driven, My Ultimate Victor, made it career win number nine from his 55th race-day start in race one at Redcliffe Paceway last Wednesday evening (September 13). He’s also placed nine times and netted $51,812 in purses.
A day earlier their Courage Under Fire gelding, O B Legal, was victorious at Albion Park for the Whitecross’s. The 4-year-old bay also won his start before that at ‘The Triangle’ on September 6. He has now amassed 13 wins (19 placings) and $84,632 in stakes.
While Parisian Rockstar (1:52.9 – 23 wins & $152,976), was the best horse we have owned, Mr Whitecross said the late Bob McArdle (NZ)-bred O B Legal (1:53.9) is currently their best horse that he and his wife of 51 years own.
But they quickly added that My Ultimate Victor (1:55.4) -the diminutive horse nicknamed ‘Squirt‘ – held a special place in their heart.
“He’s got to be the smallest pacer going around in Queensland. He’s such a tiny little fella, yet he’s so well gaited and always tries his heart out. Maree and I love him. Peter and Patrice have done a great job with him since we bought him as a 3-year-old in February.
“But I can’t speak highly enough of his breeders – the North Tumbulgum-based stud farm, Tumby Park.
“They have been nothing but professional from the time we got him until now. Scott (Whitton – owner) even texts us to congratulate us saying, the little fella won again. Everything Scott said about this horse has been true. He said we would get a win or two out of him. We’ve now had eight, plus two of his three Q-Bred bonuses,” 75-year-old Mr Whitecross said.
The Jarrod Alchin (Glen Alpine NSW) trained, My Ultimate Victor, won his first Q-bred bonus on debut at Redcliffe Paceway on December 8, 2021. He was the hot $1.15 favourite that day. Then, he then had two unplaced trials at Tabcorp Menangle, before being sold to the Whitecross’s online.
Meanwhile, Whitton said he hadn’t bred a smaller horse, which he approximated at 15 hands.
“He had no injuries, and was a very sound just a lovely, little horse that we thought might give Allan a lot of fun – and potentially make a Saturday night horse. I doubt he’s the smallest horse going around, but what he lacks in size he makes up with his will to win and love of racing.
“We are so pleased the little fella gives Allan and his wife, Maree, so much joy,” Whitton said.
My Ultimate Victor is by Changeover, and is the third and most successful of five foals out of the 13-win ($57, 730) Dream Away mare, Beaudiene Flame.
“We usually purchase horses from the Yearling sales at Redcliffe, but this little fella is the first 3-year-old we have bought, and it is so refreshing to get such good, honest advice from day one.
“We were on the lookout for a horse to race and when I rang up Scott he was honest, saying the horse had never measured up to their standards, but we would definitely have fun with this wee pacer. He wasn’t wrong. ‘Victor’ has brought us a lot of joy,” Mr Whitecross said.
Born in Cloncurry (121km from Mount Isa) and educated at Cloncurry State and raised in the bush town name Boulia, which is 304 km from Mount Isa and today has a population of 301.
“I was an only child and my parents kept me busy in Boulia on weekends and school holidays just so they could have some peace. I did all sorts of cattle driving and woolshed work on the properties around Boulia, consequently there was always a horse nearby, hence my interest in them.
“Our family shifted to Redcliffe when I was in my teens in 1965, and then 7 years later I married Maree,” said Mr Whitecross.
He worked in the Post Office for most of his working life starting out as a ‘telegram boy’ and ‘postie ’ before taking on managerial roles with Australia Post in Brisbane.
Mr Whitecross also played for the Redcliffe Rugby League Club in the forwards from 1971 to 1973, and currently supports the club.
“Dad (Col) was a foundation member of the League Club here, and he and his wife of over 60 years, Connie, also enjoyed the harness races.”
Mr Whitecross and his wife have also been a member of the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club for about 15 years.
“I love the Redcliffe Club and Maree and I still enjoy going to the track, especially when we win. I like anything unique in racing, and that’s why I like ‘The Triangle’. The Trots Rods, the drones – I like their diversity. The club is very hard-working and always friendly. Maree and I really enjoy being members,” Mr Whitecross said.
The North-Brisbane-based couple have a married daughter named Courtney and son-in-law Daniel, and were recently blessed with a little grandson named Hudson.
“Dad (Col) was a foundation member of the League Club here, and he and his wife of over 60 years, Connie, also enjoyed the harness races.”
Mr Whitecross and his wife have also been a member of the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club for about 15 years.
“I love the Redcliffe Club and Maree and I still enjoy going to the track, especially when we win. I like anything unique in racing, and that’s why I like ‘The Triangle’. The Trots Rods, the drones – I like their diversity. The club is very hard-working and always friendly. Maree and I really enjoy being members,” Mr Whitecross said.
The North-Brisbane-based couple have a married daughter named Courtney and son-in-law Daniel, and were recently blessed with a little grandson named Hudson.
