Racing: Filly's win in feature special for Whitelock

O Baby (11) runs them down at 30-1 in the hands of trainer Mark Purdon in the Sires' Stakes Final. Photo / Dean Purcell

A leap of faith in his great-grandfather's footsteps paid a huge dividend for Braeden Whitelock last night.

For the second time in a week the former junior All Black, and father of the trio of Crusaders rugby stars, tasted major race success at Alexandra Park when O Baby won the $170,000 Sires' Stakes Final.

While Whitelock went into the race thinking he could win it, it was not with O Baby but his other runner, the second favourite Dancing Diamonds.

But after working hard in front she was run down by O Baby at 30-1, in the hands of trainer Mark Purdon.

While any group one success is incredibly satisfying, O Baby's was even more so because her family has been such a big part of Whitelock's family for 90 years.

"It all dates back to my great- grandfather, George Craw, who raced a horse called Nelson Derby," said the giant Whitelock after last night's win.

"He won the Northern Derby here in 1920 but my great-grandfather had to sell him later when the Depression hit.

"But we always had an interest in the family and about 20 years ago I decided I wanted a mare from the family to breed from so I went to Father Dan Cummings in Dunedin and bought Tuapeka Star."

That broodmare gem was a 20-year-old by then so Whitelock's faith was immense but the mare has given him a string of winners, with O Baby the latest

"I've got her granddam, who died, buried on the farm at home and this filly's dam there too so to see one from the family come out and win a group one is very special."

She had to be good too, as O Baby came from a second line draw and was in the three-wide train to grab the very brave Cowgirls N Indians, who survived an early skirmish and was a superb second.

The win means the Whitelocks will have two starters in the Harness Jewels fillies division and he says that can be even more nerve-racking than playing top-level rugby or watching his sons George, Sam, Adam or Luke do the same.

"When you play rugby or the boys play you know they have some control over things and it is easier to watch.

"Whereas with racing it is totally out of our hands so it is a bit harder to predict.

"But we are lucky we have Mark Purdon as a trainer and he is just brilliant."

Purdon also trained the favourite for the race in Veste but she disappointed after an early skip which cost her field position and momentum.