Les White looking to go back-to-back at Cambridge today

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jordyn Bublitz

For a $2,800 purchase Les White is pretty chuffed with how well his mate Bettor Reaction has been performing as of late, and the Auckland Reactor gelding could well add to his earnings at Cambridge today.

‘Jack’ ,as he is known by,  was purchased off Gavelhouse last June by White and put on an eye-catching performance fresh up in December to win at Alexandra Park on a 57.3 half by a commanding 5 ¾ length margin.

“It was just so unexpected, he’s so laid back and he hadn’t given much of a feeling in his work,” says White, “he had one trial to lead in and he ran a very distant fourth, I thought to myself oh no what have I actually bought.”

“And then to go up there and win by nearly 6 lengths and go 2:41 I was a bit gob-smacked really”

To make the moment even more special, that was White’s first win at Alexandra Park in his 38-year career.

Since then Bettor Reaction has had six starts, including two seconds and a last start win at Cambridge on April 22.

“I don’t train many horses, and every win feels really special.”

His chance to go again with Bettor Reaction will be in today’s Off the Track Food and Bev Mobile Pace (6.24pm) where he’s a second favourite behind the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained Won And Only.

To make things a bit awkward he’s drawn seven.

“He has the speed to lead from there,” says White, “but I think his best bet would be to stay out of it early and make a move mid race.”

It will be a family affair as per usual this week with his son Matthew White in the bike and Les couldn’t be more pleased with how he has been driving of late.

“I’m very proud of the way he’s going. He hasn’t had it easy and to see him doing so well has been a real buzz.”

White is also grateful to the help he gets from fellow Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly.

“If I couldn’t work him in with their horses I’d just be battling away on my own and working them together is really beneficial, it really makes them lift.”

A stalwart figure around Cambridge Raceway, White admits he has become “a part of the scenery” and spends his mornings  at Donnelly’s  helping out.

As for Bettor Reaction he has a good feeling about the six-year-old who has now won three from 33.

“I think he could win another two or three.” 

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