Drama and tales of woe surrounded Saturday's San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill but there was a big smile on the face of winning trainer Jason Coyle after Va Pensiero won the group three sprint.
Whittington was heavily supported, displacing Golden Slipper runner-up Sidestep as favourite before displacing himself in thebarrier.
The colt got his forelegs over the front of the stall and was scratched after being examined by vets.
Sidestep was re-installed as favourite at $4.20 but had no luck in the race and finished fourth, prompting a brother-against-brother minor protest when Tommy Berry fired in an objection alleging his twin Nathan on Windjammer had closed a gap on his mount.
All that meant little to Coyle who had been confident he had Va Pensiero fit enough to be a contender even before Whittington was withdrawn.
Va Pensiero ($11) raced on the speed and got the better of Cluster ($13) to win the 1100m dash by three-quarters of a length with a half head to Windjammer ($5.50).
"It's always hard to know if they are going to come back as 3-year-olds," Coyle said.
"I was pleased with both his trials and thought he was wound up enough to go well.
"I did think he would have to work hard to go forward from the outside barrier but when Whittington came out we were able to get across quite easily and he was strong to the line."
Coyle said he was sure Va Pensiero could run the 1400m of the Golden Rose on September 14 but whether he headed to the race would be determined by his next start.
"He'll go to the Run To The Rose in two weeks and then we will determine whether he goes to the 1400m and the Golden Rose," he said.
Jockey Tim Clark agreed his tactics had been settled once Whittington, who would have been expected to contest the lead, was withdrawn.
"It made the decision for me to go forward," Clark said.
While Coyle was celebrating the win, Tommy Berry was fighting the cause for his horse in the stewards' room, adamant Sidestep should have won the race.
"Nathan Berry laid in and there was no run," he said.
