Little more than seven months ago the Canterbury-born horseman was waiting patiently for his first win.
Fast-forward to tonight, when he will compete for national honours in the first two heats of the four-heat junior drivers series.
Six drivers representing the South Island and six drivers representing the North Island will compete at Forbury Park tonight and Addington tomorrow night.
Whittaker looks set to score early points behind El Capitan in race 4.
''Drawn 2, I think he would be a be a good chance.
''I don't know if he has much gate speed, but we will see what happens.
''In a juniors race there is always a lot of speed, so we will see what happens and go from there.
''His last two starts he has [had] a couple of nice races, one behind Donegal Mary Francis last week that is probably good form.''
Whittaker's North Island team-mate Jack MacKinnon and Omar Sharif could speed across to the front if El Capitan does not muster good early gate speed.
The Regan Todd-trained pacer looks to be one of the leading chances in the race after his good front-running win on the track last week.
North Island drivers appear set to dominate the first heat of the series.
South Island team captain Matt Anderson looks to have the best of his side's chances with the consistent Pete's Dash.
McKinnon and Whittaker have two strong chances
that could earn the North Island maximum points in
race 6.
Whittaker drives last-start Forbury Park winner Clifton Flutter for trainer Martin Denton.
He came off the unruly mark a couple of starts ago ''and has been flying home'', Whittaker said.
''Craig Ferguson drove it last week and it got home quite nicely.
''If there is a bit of speed early, which I hope there is, it might suit it coming around them late.''
McKinnon drives Machie Mach, who has been in good form in the recent Forbury Park Claimers' Series.
The 15-race winner is suited by the conditions of tonight's race, as he will compete against horses that have won just once.
The South Island team looks a better chance to rack up points in heat 2.
Sheree Tomlinson, on Command Lustre, and Mark Hurrell behind Possente Cavallo look strong winning chances.
