First hat-trick for for White

by Mike Love, Harness News Desk

Cambridge trainer Matthew White dominated at Alexandra Park last night when he trained and drove a hat-trick of winners.

This was White’s first hat-trick of wins, in his fourth season of training.

“Feels really good. I thought they’d go well, but didn’t expect them to win.”

The first win of the hat-trick was in race two with Sweet Lou gelding Over The Top. The gelding started favourite on debut at Cambridge, only to run into trouble. However, last night White settled back, and let the gelding find his feet before launching a big run from the 400m, winning by a neck from She’s In Line.

“I’ve only had him a couple of months. Davey and Catherine (Butt) sent him up....he’s always felt like a nice horse. Definitely got a motor.”

White then combined with Downbytheseaside filly Mhai Surfer Girl in race four. White held up the lead from barrier one, before handing up to race favourite Gandalf, and using the passing lane to knock him off on the line by a nose.

“She’s a wee professional. She does what she has to. She’s well gaited, and well mannered.”

In Race six, eight-year-old Sam Bourbon gelding With Ice came with a sustained run wide to just get up on the line, beating Kings Landing by a nose.

“Bob Butt had him, and done a great job with.

“Was getting a bit hard for him down in Canterbury, so he is much better placed up here over winter. We should have a lot of fun with him.”

White has now trained seven winners this season, from just 37 starters, totalling 41 winners and over $420,000 in stakes overall. White trains a team of 14, with wife Brigette, father Les, and one other full-time worker.

“We’ve got a good wee team.”