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Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators

Former successful South Australian pacer Whatabro, placed at five of his first six starts in Western Australia, broke through for his first win in the State when he scored an excellent victory in the 2130m West Australian Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Second fancy at $3.30, Whatabro began fast from the No. 2 barrier, but had to work hard to get past the polemarker Bee Jays Boy and take the lead after 500m, following a fast lead time of 35.4sec.

Michael Grantham then rated the four-year-old perfectly in front, and the son of Four Starzzz Shark was not seriously challenged as he went on to win by 4m from Bee Jays Boy, rating 1.57.5.

“The fast lead time left him susceptible,” said trainer Michael Brennan. “But it didn’t seem to bother him, and he won pretty easily. Michael really suits him; there’s not too many better drivers in front than him.

“Whatabro was due to win; he just needed the right run. His form has been good, and he has done a super job since arriving here less than three months ago. Darren Billinger always looks after his horses, and Whatabro came over in super order.

“He has been an easy horse to train, and now he will keep punching through his grades.”

Billinger, a veteran South Australian trainer-reinsman, sent Whatabro to Brennan after he had won 18 times and graduated to Free-For-All company. He was keen to give Brennan the opportunity to train the gelding after he had sent Futurist and Whenmechief to be prepared by Brennan in 2018. Futurist won an $18,000 event and Whenmechief won two $22,000 events for Brennan at Gloucester Park.

Whatabro, who has had 77 starts for 19 wins, 35 placings and $102,300, is out of the What’s Next mare Whatacorka, who earned $7797 from three wins and 11 placings from 28 starts. Whatabro’s half-brother Come On Frank won the group 1 Vicbred Four-Year-Old Super Sires Series final at Melton in May 2012 and was retired with earnings of $404,650 from 61 wins and 38 placings from 130 starts.