Latest news with #BradWiddup
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Hawkesbury preview: Brad Widdup out to defend home turf against Chris Waller onslaught in Rowley Mile
Trainer Brad Widdup will roll the dice with stablemates Hasty Honey and Ruby Flyer in an attempt to keep Thursday's Listed $200,000 Rowley Mile (1600m) in local hands at Hawkesbury. Widdup will defend home turf with the only two Hawkesbury-trained gallopers against a Chris Waller -trained armada that sees the champion trainer saddle up eight of the 14 starters. Chris Waller has already won the Rowley Mile six times and has his 2025 assault led by River Of Stars ($7.50) while Joseph Pride has leading contenders Estadio Mestalla ($5 favourite) and Aberlour ($7). In-form mare Hasty Honey ($7.50) will lead Widdup's assault with the Epaulette mare racing in top form, winning twice already this preparation at the midweeks. Widdup elected to target his home-track feature in pursuit of black type after scratching her from Rosehill Gardens last weekend. 'The race last Saturday came up quite strong and I thought it was a good race with Amusing there, that has won three on the bounce now so we elected to have a crack at this instead,' Widdup said. 'A lot of these horses are resuming and things like that and obviously there are a few that have a few Benchmark points more than her. 'She is going well so we decided to roll the dice with her and try to get some black type on her home track.' Ruby Flyer, then trained by Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard, finished third in the 2023 when Waller won the race with Bold Mac. Widdup is eager to see the son of Flying Artie bounce back to his best after he failed to beat a runner home at his last start. 'I was happy with Ruby Flyer first-up and then disappointed with him second-up,' he said. 'He pulled up fair so we trialled him and I thought he trialled really good. 'He looks to be good order and does love a wet track. 'In the past he has raced well in this race, before I had him, so it's a bit of a throw at the stumps but if he runs to his best he can definitely perform in it.' English-bred mare Achillea ($51) will have her second start for Widdup in the Peter Smith Memorial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1800m). The daughter of Frankel only beat a runner home in her first Australian start but is expected to improve as she steps up over more ground. Sweet victory! ðŸ�¯ Hasty Honey scores a strong win at Randwick! @KPMcEvoy @BWiddupRacing @aus_turf_club @HoneycombStud — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 25, 2025 'Achillea looks great,' Widdup said. 'I was really happy with the run first-up. I think she is going to need further again and it's another stepping stone to get her fit. 'I am not saying she is going to get to any outstanding levels but hopefully we can get her performing well and see where we get to. 'We just have to get racing under her because this weather has been a nightmare but we are all going through it.' Widdup won't have a runner in the race named in his honour for winning the Hawkesbury trainers premiership but has Mailli ($21) in the Micway Midway Class 1 Handicap (1100m). It was an underwhelming first-up performance from the daughter of Yes Yes Yes, which went back to the trials following her fresh run where she failed to beat a runner home. 'She trialled OK but needs to lift,' Widdup said. 'We are trying to place her as best we can but we have Ash Morgan on and he's riding the crest of a wave.' â– â– â– â– â– Promising stayer carries high hopes Trainer Ed O'Rourke reckons Ridgeback is a nice stayer in the making but expects his lightly-raced talent to still be mighty competitive in Thursday's Brad Widdup Champion Trainer Maiden (1500m) at Hawkesbury. Ridgeback, a $4.20 favourite, is only lining up for his second start on his home track after delivering a promising debut second at Kembla Grange last month. The son of All Too Hard is now a four-year-old and took time to get to the races but O'Rourke is expecting he will be worth the wait. 'He is a nice stayer in the making and I think he will be better on top of the ground,' O'Rourke said. 'He got through it last start at Kembla when he was quite heavy. 'We are giving away a fair bit of weight but he has naturally improved a lot. 'It has taken a while for the penny to drop but I think he can go close to winning.' Ridgeback has been set a task second-up with a clear topweight of 59.5kg on what's expected to be a heavy surface on Rowley Mile day. He battled away on a heavy surface over 1300m on debut at Kembla Grange at his only previous start on August 1. Adam Hyeronimus rode Ridgeback in that debut assignment and will stick with the gelding on his home track. 'Adam has been on him and is quite keen to stick with him which is a positive having a good rider like that on,' O'Rourke said. 'I think he should go close and he will only get better as he gets older. '2000m and probably a bit further will suit.' O'Rourke's talented sprinter Iron Man will head to Royal Randwick on Saturday for the Jersey Day Andrew Wisemantel Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m). With more rain forecast in Sydney, the son of Exosphere is faced with the prospect of stepping out on another wet surface. 'Iron Man has Heavy 8 form and has won on soft so why not,' O'Rourke said. 'We gave him a couple of hard gallops instead of trialling him in the week he races 'He looks great and hasn't missed a beat really, the weather has just been hindering us with trials being moved but that's the same for everyone.'
The Australian
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
2025 Rosebud: Trainer Brad Widdup saddles up Nashville Jack
Trainer Brad Widdup is cautiously optimistic Nashville Jack will handle the class rise and heavy track conditions for the Listed $200,000 The Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Nashville Jack takes race fitness into Sydney's first stakes race of the new season after scoring his first win in three starts with a successful return at Royal Randwick a month ago. 'Everything is in good order with Nashville Jack since his first-up win, I can't fault him in any way,'' Widdup said. 'He looks a nice horse and hopefully he can measure up on Saturday.'' Nashville Jack hasn't raced on a heavy track in his short career but provided some evidence he will get through the going with his impressive Randwick win coming track rated a soft 6. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'The track was soft enough last start,'' Widdup said. 'Jason (Collett) said he got through it OK but I wouldn't say he is a 'swimmer' or anything like that.'' Rosehill was rated a heavy 10 on Friday but Australian Turf Club's track manager Michael Wood expects an upgrade on race morning with Sydney's improving weather forecast. In overnight TAB Fixed Odds betting for The Rosebud, Nashville Jack is at $5 with Pallaton favourite at $2.40. The Widdup stable has already had a good week with Sunset Park scoring a home-track win at Hawkesbury on Tuesday before promising filly Savvy Hallie won her maiden by more than five lengths at Newcastle on Thursday – and the trainer is hoping to continue his stable's winning momentum at Rosehill. • EXPERT TIPS: Professional punter James Molony's race-by-race tips and analysis for Rosehill on Saturday Widdup saddles up Audrey's Lane ($7) and topweight Be Real ($17) in the Rosehill opener, the Midway Handicap (1500m). Audrey's Lane, a half-sister to 2014 Golden Slipper winner Mossfun, has been in good form this winter, winning at Newcastle before her last start fifth at the Warwick Farm midweeks. 'The outside barrier (13) is not ideal but Audrey's Lane is OK in heavy going, although I'm not sure if it is a heavy 9 or 10,'' Widdup said. Be Real has 60kg for her comeback run but the mare is effective on soft-heavy tracks. 'I've got to get Be Real going this preparation and she does have wet track form,'' Widdup said. 'She may need the run but this is a drop in grade from what she was racing in last preparation. This race looks a good starting point.'' Widdup also has Hasty Honey ($8.50) entered for the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1900m) but the trainer is unsure if the mare will run from her wide barrier (16). • RAY & DUFF: Ray Thomas and Ron Dufficy's tips for Rosehill on Saturday 'This race has come up quite strong but she is going 'excellent','' Widdup said of Hasty Honey. 'We may even look at the Rowley Mile with her next Thursday.'' Meanwhile, Widdup said classy sprinter Jedibeel was coming up well for a spring campaign that could result in a start in the Group 1 $20 million The Everest on October 18. Jedibeel, who broke 56s to win the Challenge Stakes over the Randwick 1000m course earlier this year, will have another barrier trial before resuming in either the Concorde Stakes or Moir Stakes next month. 'I will try and have Jedibeel as forward as I can first-up,'' Widdup said. • Grima making most of unexpected city opportunity ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Exhibition of the stars is weather-dependent The exhibition gallops of Horse of the Year-elect Via Sistina, Fangirl, Aeliana, Lady Shenandoah and Autumn Glow hinge on an improving Rosehill track rating. Trainer Chris Waller's outstanding mares are due to have gallops between races early on the Rosehill program but only if the track rating is upgraded to a heavy 9 before the first race. Via Sistina (jockey James McDonald), Fangirl (Kerrin McEvoy) and Aeliana (Jason Collett) are due to work over 1000m after the Rosehill opener. Lady Shenandoah (McDonald) and Autumn Glow (McEvoy) will gallop after the second race. • 'First time I was ever booed at a racetrack': Waller's American 'Takeover' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Hot offer to raise money for charity Thoroughbred stallion Too Darn Hot in 2025. Picture: Godolphin Godolphin is auctioning a nomination to Darley Stud sire sensation Too Darn Hot – who will be mighty mare Winx's suitor this spring breeding season – to raise money for spinal cord injury research. Andy Makiv, managing director of Godolphin Australia, said the fundraising initiative was a collaboration between Godolphin, the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust and England's Watership Down Stud where Too Darn Hot was bred. The nomination will be Lot 1 in the Inglis Digital August Online Sale which runs from August 22-27. Too Darn Hot, the dual hemisphere stallion and sire of Broadsiding, stands at $250,000 per service this spring and is already booked out for the breeding season. 'We have capped Too Darn Hot's book at 100 mares this spring,'' Makiv said. 'The stallion has a fantastic line-up of mares this spring led by the likes of Winx, In Secret, Savatiano, Lyre and others. 'Too Darn Hot is very hard to get into but we are proud to support CatWalk, which is such a wonderful charitable cause, and we are offering the 101st and final nomination to the stallion. 'We anticipate and hope the charitable amount from the online auction will be at least $250,000.'' Makiv said all proceeds from the online Too Darn Hot nomination auction goes directly to funding critical research to help those living with spinal cord injuries. The New Zealand-based CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust was founded by Dame Catriona Williams after she sustained a life-changing spinal cord injury in 2002, is committed to curing spinal cord injury through world-class research, global collaboration, and patient-focused initiatives. 'Support like this is extraordinary,' Williams said. 'It's not just about funding research, it's about giving people hope. 'Every dollar raised helps move us closer to our goal to see people walk again. We're incredibly grateful to Godolphin and Watership Down for standing with us and believing in what's possible.' At Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, Godolphin's famous royal blue colours could be carried to a brace of Rosehill wins with Amusing and Polyglot. The Waller-trained Amusing got a new era for Godolphin off to the perfect start when she won the first Sydney Saturday race of the season earlier this month at Rosehill and the mare returns for the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1900m) in which she is pressing for favouritism at $5.50. With Godolphin transitioning to a public training model this season, Polyglot ($3.80 favourite) makes his debut for new trainer Michael Freedman in the TAB Handicap (1100m). ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 5 YEARS AGO Speedy colt Anders, trained by Ciaron Maher, led throughout and dominated his rivals to win The Rosebud by nearly five lengths. Runner-up Ole Kirk was simply out-sped over the Rosehill 1100m course but the talented colt trained on to win the Golden Rose-Caulfield Guineas Group 1 double that spring. Godolphin's brilliant mare Savatiano resuming with a fighting win over Sircconi in the Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield. Bella Nipotina was a $21 outsider when she won the Quezette Stakes first-up then later developed into the nation's best sprinter, winning four Group 1 races including The Everest last spring and retiring with prizemoney of more than $22.7 million. 10 YEARS AGO The Gary Portelli-trained Sebring Sun unleashed a powerful finishing surge to score a career-best win in the Listed The Rosebud, defeating Voilier by a length. Mourinho, winner of the Australia Stakes and Peter Young Stakes at Group 2 level earlier in the year, resumed with a narrow win over The Cleaner in the Lawrence Stakes. Two starts later, Mourinho scored a career-best win in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes, defeating Fawkner and The Cleaner. 20 YEARS AGO Lad Of The Manor, ridden by Greg Childs of Sunline fame, resumed in the Liston (now Lawrence) Stakes and got through the heavy 10 track conditions to win narrowly from Our Smoking Joe. Lad Of The Manor developed into a genuine weight-for-age horse that spring winning the Feehan Stakes next start then later in the spring scoring in the Group 1 Mackinnon (now Champions) Stakes.
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Nashville Jack's jump in grade for 2025 The Rosebud holds no fears for trainer Brad Widdup
Trainer Brad Widdup is cautiously optimistic Nashville Jack will handle the class rise and heavy track conditions for the Listed $200,000 The Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Nashville Jack takes race fitness into Sydney's first stakes race of the new season after scoring his first win in three starts with a successful return at Royal Randwick a month ago. 'Everything is in good order with Nashville Jack since his first-up win, I can't fault him in any way,'' Widdup said. 'He looks a nice horse and hopefully he can measure up on Saturday.'' Nashville Jack hasn't raced on a heavy track in his short career but provided some evidence he will get through the going with his impressive Randwick win coming track rated a soft 6. 'The track was soft enough last start,'' Widdup said. ' Jason (Collett) said he got through it OK but I wouldn't say he is a 'swimmer' or anything like that.'' Rosehill was rated a heavy 10 on Friday but Australian Turf Club's track manager Michael Wood expects an upgrade on race morning with Sydney's improving weather forecast. In overnight TAB Fixed Odds betting for The Rosebud, Nashville Jack is at $5 with Pallaton favourite at $2.40. The Widdup stable has already had a good week with Sunset Park scoring a home-track win at Hawkesbury on Tuesday before promising filly Savvy Hallie won her maiden by more than five lengths at Newcastle on Thursday – and the trainer is hoping to continue his stable's winning momentum at Rosehill. Savvy Hallie makes it look easy at @newcastleraces_! ðŸ'¨ @BWiddupRacing @benny_bkrace — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 14, 2025 Widdup saddles up Audrey's Lane ($7) and topweight Be Real ($17) in the Rosehill opener, the Midway Handicap (1500m). Audrey's Lane, a half-sister to 2014 Golden Slipper winner Mossfun, has been in good form this winter, winning at Newcastle before her last start fifth at the Warwick Farm midweeks. 'The outside barrier (13) is not ideal but Audrey's Lane is OK in heavy going, although I'm not sure if it is a heavy 9 or 10,'' Widdup said. Be Real has 60kg for her comeback run but the mare is effective on soft-heavy tracks. 'I've got to get Be Real going this preparation and she does have wet track form,'' Widdup said. 'She may need the run but this is a drop in grade from what she was racing in last preparation. This race looks a good starting point.'' Widdup also has Hasty Honey ($8.50) entered for the R osehill Bowling Club Handicap (1900m) but the trainer is unsure if the mare will run from her wide barrier (16). Sweet victory! ðŸ�¯ Hasty Honey scores a strong win at Randwick! @KPMcEvoy @BWiddupRacing @aus_turf_club @HoneycombStud — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 25, 2025 'This race has come up quite strong but she is going 'excellent','' Widdup said of Hasty Honey. 'We may even look at the Rowley Mile with her next Thursday.'' Meanwhile, Widdup said classy sprinter Jedibeel was coming up well for a spring campaign that could result in a start in the Group 1 $20 million The Everest on October 18. Jedibeel, who broke 56s to win the Challenge Stakes over the Randwick 1000m course earlier this year, will have another barrier trial before resuming in either the Concorde Stakes or Moir Stakes next month. 'I will try and have Jedibeel as forward as I can first-up,'' Widdup said. • â– â– â– â– â– Exhibition of the stars is weather-dependent ROSEHILL (Sat): An exhibition gallop after the running of R1 by the Chris-Waller trained AELIANA (Jason Collett), FANGIRL (Kerrin McEvoy) & VIA SISTINA (James McDonald) over 1000m. Following R2, the Waller-trained AUTUMN GLOW (Kerrin McEvoy) & LADY SHENANDOAH (James McDonald)… — Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 14, 2025 The exhibition gallops of Horse of the Year-elect Via Sistina, Fangirl, Aeliana, Lady Shenandoah and Autumn Glow hinge on an improving Rosehill track rating. Trainer Chris Waller 's outstanding mares are due to have gallops between races early on the Rosehill program but only if the track rating is upgraded to a heavy 9 before the first race. Via Sistina (jockey James McDonald), Fangirl (Kerrin McEvoy) and Aeliana (Jason Collett) are due to work over 1000m after the Rosehill opener. Lady Shenandoah (McDonald) and Autumn Glow (McEvoy) will gallop after the second race. • â– â– â– â– â– Hot offer to raise money for charity Godolphin is auctioning a nomination to Darley Stud sire sensation Too Darn Hot – who will be mighty mare Winx's suitor this spring breeding season – to raise money for spinal cord injury research. Andy Makiv, managing director of Godolphin Australia, said the fundraising initiative was a collaboration between Godolphin, the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust and England's Watership Down Stud where Too Darn Hot was bred. The nomination will be Lot 1 in the Inglis Digital August Online Sale which runs from August 22-27. Too Darn Hot, the dual hemisphere stallion and sire of Broadsiding, stands at $250,000 per service this spring and is already booked out for the breeding season. 'We have capped Too Darn Hot's book at 100 mares this spring,'' Makiv said. 'The stallion has a fantastic line-up of mares this spring led by the likes of Winx, In Secret, Savatiano, Lyre and others. 'Too Darn Hot is very hard to get into but we are proud to support CatWalk, which is such a wonderful charitable cause, and we are offering the 101st and final nomination to the stallion. 'We anticipate and hope the charitable amount from the online auction will be at least $250,000.'' Makiv said all proceeds from the online Too Darn Hot nomination auction goes directly to funding critical research to help those living with spinal cord injuries. The New Zealand-based CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust was founded by Dame Catriona Williams after she sustained a life-changing spinal cord injury in 2002, is committed to curing spinal cord injury through world-class research, global collaboration, and patient-focused initiatives. 'Support like this is extraordinary,' Williams said. 'It's not just about funding research, it's about giving people hope. 'Every dollar raised helps move us closer to our goal to see people walk again. We're incredibly grateful to Godolphin and Watership Down for standing with us and believing in what's possible.' At Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, Godolphin's famous royal blue colours could be carried to a brace of Rosehill wins with Amusing and Polyglot. The Waller-trained Amusing got a new era for Godolphin off to the perfect start when she won the first Sydney Saturday race of the season earlier this month at Rosehill and the mare returns for the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1900m) in which she is pressing for favouritism at $5.50. With Godolphin transitioning to a public training model this season, Polyglot ($3.80 favourite) makes his debut for new trainer Michael Freedman in the TAB Handicap (1100m). â– â– â– â– â– 5 YEARS AGO Speedy colt Anders, trained by Ciaron Maher, led throughout and dominated his rivals to win The Rosebud by nearly five lengths. Runner-up Ole Kirk was simply out-sped over the Rosehill 1100m course but the talented colt trained on to win the Golden Rose-Caulfield Guineas Group 1 double that spring. Godolphin's brilliant mare Savatiano resuming with a fighting win over Sircconi in the Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield. Bella Nipotina was a $21 outsider when she won the Quezette Stakes first-up then later developed into the nation's best sprinter, winning four Group 1 races including The Everest last spring and retiring with prizemoney of more than $22.7 million. Wow! Anders has come out and demolished them in the Schweppes Rosebud @cmaherracing @AquisFarm A serious colt ðŸ'¥ — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 8, 2020 10 YEARS AGO The Gary Portelli-trained Sebring Sun unleashed a powerful finishing surge to score a career-best win in the Listed The Rosebud, defeating Voilier by a length. Mourinho, winner of the Australia Stakes and Peter Young Stakes at Group 2 level earlier in the year, resumed with a narrow win over The Cleaner in the Lawrence Stakes. Two starts later, Mourinho scored a career-best win in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes, defeating Fawkner and The Cleaner. 20 YEARS AGO Lad Of The Manor, ridden by Greg Childs of Sunline fame, resumed in the Liston (now Lawrence) Stakes and got through the heavy 10 track conditions to win narrowly from Our Smoking Joe. Lad Of The Manor developed into a genuine weight-for-age horse that spring winning the Feehan Stakes next start then later in the spring scoring in the Group 1 Mackinnon (now Champions) Stakes.
The Australian
04-08-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Forbes preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, August 3, 2025
Brad Widdup is a Group 1 winner and a leading provincial trainer but he is still a country boy at heart and loves getting back to his roots when the right opportunities are there. The Albury raised Widdup heads wet with a trio of capable runners ready to shine, none more so than High Dandy in the Bankstown Sports Forbes Cup (1600m) which is also a Big Dance Qualifier. The John Camilleri-bred and owned gelding has improved with each run this campaign starting off with a seventh to Nana's Wish at Canterbury before a fourth to Walking Painting and a second to Glad You Think So both in Randwick Midways over 1600m. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'He has taken a while to get to his peak for one reason or another but his last two runs have been really good,' said Widdup. 'Hopefully he can continue on with that now. The son of Camilleri's own Group 1 winner Ace High looks well placed in the Cup being a 71 rater with 56kg, just a kilo above the minimum. Heading the weight for the race is Another One with 65kg although he comes down to 62kg after the claim. 'He gets in well at the weights which is not often the case when you take a horse out to the country,' Widdup said. 'He has good Sydney form and the fact he gets quite a bit of weight off those couple of well-performed, higher benchmark rated horses, I would like to think he will be very competitive. Widdup has gained the services of Hawkesbury-based jockey Chad Lever who has been on great form since returning to the saddle late last year. 'I was surprised that he is going out there but when we seen his name down for some rides, we were lucky to be able to get him,' Widdup said. Widdup and lever will also team up with lightly-raced mare Initiate in the Walker Family Showcase Super Maiden Handicap (1300m). The four-year-old is closing in on her first win after a close second to Divo and third to Capital Jicinta at Wyong before a last start fourth behind Denial at Kembla. 'She is only a little filly but she tries very hard,' he said. 'She is probably still another preparation away from really being at her best but she is going well. 'Hopefully she can knock her maiden off this weekend. 'I don't think barrier eight is a bad draw for her. 'She's doesn't have real early toe so drawing there, hopefully she can slot in somewhere midfield or maybe a bit closer.' Widdup's final runner for the day is Party Doll in the Club Forbes Showcase Class 2 Handicap (1100m) who will be ridden by stable apprentice, Poppie Gorton. Gorton was having her first day riding at Bathurst two weeks ago when fourth on Party Doll. 'She drew awkward at Bathurst last start and was slow to begin before she took off around them,' said Widdup. 'She just did a lot of work but it was a good effort to finish where she did. 'She is better on top of the ground and is finding it hard to win a race but John (Camilleri, owner) has been good enough to give Poppie a couple of rides on her and her four kilo claim brings her into this race. 'Hopefully she can begin well and be in the race and I'm sure she will run really well if that's the case.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 3 No. 3: INITIATE Has strong provincial form and gets his chance to break through. NEXT BEST Race 4 No. 10: ZOUTASTIC Good win last start and can go back-to-back. VALUE BET Race 2 No. 11: LOST YA SOCK Nice efforts at both runs from a spell. Chance to break through. QUADDIE Race 5: 1, 4, 5 Race 6: 1, 2, 3 Race 7: 3, 11, 13 Race 8: 1, 5, 6, 7 Chad Lever looks set for a good day at Forbes. Picture: Bradley Photos JOCKEY TO FOLLOW CHAD LEVER has a strong book of rides and looks a top chance on the TAB Jockey Challenge. LAY OF THE DAY Race 8 No. 5: ROMANTIC LOVE Safely held in both runs this time in, the latest on a heavy track. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ INSIDE MAIL – FORBES RACE 1: Shead & Nicholson / Daikin / Seeley International Country Boosted Mdn Plate 1100m CARAVANSERAI (1), the half-brother to Alizee and Astern, resumed for the Natalie Jarvis stable with a second to Spice Baby at Moruya when coming from well back on the turn. Will strip fitter for the run. PERFORMING DIVA (4) over did it in front on debut when fourth at Nowra. Took a sit and ran on well when second to Lombardi Lass at Goulburn. Resumes here and looks for a forward showing. RITA RED (5) has placed in three of her four runs this campaign and will be thereabouts again. Bet: Caravanserai to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 2: Bankstown Sports Since 1995 Showcase Mdn Plate 1600m LOST YA SOCK (11) resumed with a handy second behind Highland Eightgee over 1300m at Dubbo before leading when a half-length third to Gioia River at Corowa. Suited up to 1600m. DANTAINS PRIZE (7) finished close seconds at Narrandera and Wagga before missing the start by three lengths when seventh to Pride Of Jezza. Backed up six days later when fourth at Narrandera. PONTIAC (3) settled near last before motoring home to finish third to Darken over 1660m at Moruya last start. Bet: Lost Ya Sock to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 3: Walker Family Showcase Super Mdn Hcp 1300m INITIATE (3) followed a length second to the promising Divo with a third to Capital Jicinta at Wyong after being bumped at the start. Forced to race wide early when fourth to Denial at Kembla last start. Solid form for this. THE CONTRACTOR (2) was spelled after a neck fourth on debut at Dubbo on Apr 7. Handy third at Dubbo first-up then races wide and pulled up lame when fourth at Bathurst on July 21. BLACKFISH (6) makes his NSW debut for the Brett Robb stable. Has claims in three placings in Victoria. Bet: Initiate to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 4: Club Sydney The Amazing Ben Hall Bullet (Bm82) 1200m ZOUTASTIC (10) resumed with a fourth at Hawkesbury behind Regimental Colours who won at Randwick last weekend. Went to Grafton and scored a solid win from Stratafy. DEION (6) has had a long campaign but continues to race consistently with two wins and four placings from his last six starts. Led all-the-way to beat Eilrahc at Warren before a third to Smooth Esprit in the Coonamble Cannonball. Carried big weights last two starts and drops to 54kg. CASTLEBAR ROAD (3) was a month between runs when fourth to Durova over 1000m last start. Loves it heavy. Bet: Zoutastic to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 5: Forbes Shire Council Showcase Country Boosted (Bm58) 1400m SORRY SUNSHINE (1) ran home nicely under 61kg to beat Freddy's Shock over 1400m on a Heavy 10 at Wagga two starts back. Sat closer and laid out in the straight when fourth to Sunray Lass at Albury. STREET SWAGGER (5) is racing well with a win and two thirds. That Cowra win was his fourth from five ruins on heavy ground. MOTORBOAT (4) raced wide without cover when down the order behind Shropshire Lad in a Highway at Rosehill on July 19 at his first run for a new stable. Bet: Sorry Sunshine to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: Forbes Scrap Metal / Carlton & United Breweries Showcase Hcp (C1) 1400m DEEPWATER ARTIST (2) defied a betting drift from $5 out to $10 when he came with a closing run down the outside to beat Speed Of Thought over 1175m at Albury. His last 100m suggests he will appreciate the step up to 1400m. UNREAL EXPECTATION (1) followed back-to-back placings on the Acton track at Canberra with a handy win from Metal Magic over 1400m at Bathurst. THOUGHTFUL (3), a relation of fan favourite Happy Clapper, was fourth over 1100m in a Bm58 on the heavy at Goulburn last start. Blinkers off and nose roll on. Bet: Deepwater Artist to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 7: Bankstown Sports Forbes Cup 1600m HIGH DANDY (3) ran a nice fourth behind Walking Painting in a Midway at Randwick second-up. Led and just caught late when runner-up to Glad You Think So in another Randwick Midway. Drawn well and will give this a shake. LOUIE'S LEGACY (11) resumed in Federal Open at Canberra without a trial when a half-length second to Craving magic over 1280m. Stepped up to 1600m with a third to Hot Bandit in the Narrandera Cup. Is a winner on the heavy. 13. MORITZ GIRL (13) was doing her best late over 1400m on the Kensington last start. Loves the 1600m. Bet: High Dandy to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 8: Club Forbes Showcase Hcp (C2) 1100m ABSTRUSE (6) was held up rounding the home turn when a length third to Selhurst Park at Moruya before coming from a long way back when runner-up to Sutton Vella there last start both over 1010m. The 1100m helps. ROYAL BOMBADIER (7) raced ungenerously in the straight when resuming at Port Macquarie. Much better effort last start when a half-length second to Calido Magic at Gosford. PARTY DOLL (1) did it tough when fourth last start. Handy provincial form before that. Bet: Abstruse to win
News.com.au
02-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Forbes preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, August 3, 2025
Brad Widdup is a Group 1 winner and a leading provincial trainer but he is still a country boy at heart and loves getting back to his roots when the right opportunities are there. The Albury raised Widdup heads wet with a trio of capable runners ready to shine, none more so than High Dandy in the Bankstown Sports Forbes Cup (1600m) which is also a Big Dance Qualifier. The John Camilleri-bred and owned gelding has improved with each run this campaign starting off with a seventh to Nana's Wish at Canterbury before a fourth to Walking Painting and a second to Glad You Think So both in Randwick Midways over 1600m. 'He has taken a while to get to his peak for one reason or another but his last two runs have been really good,' said Widdup. Jockey @G1TySchil wanted the front mid-race, he took it, and the promising High Dandy scores back-to-back wins for @BWiddupRacing ðŸ'� â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 28, 2024 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! 'Hopefully he can continue on with that now. The son of Camilleri's own Group 1 winner Ace High looks well placed in the Cup being a 71 rater with 56kg, just a kilo above the minimum. Heading the weight for the race is Another One with 65kg although he comes down to 62kg after the claim. 'He gets in well at the weights which is not often the case when you take a horse out to the country,' Widdup said. 'He has good Sydney form and the fact he gets quite a bit of weight off those couple of well-performed, higher benchmark rated horses, I would like to think he will be very competitive. Widdup has gained the services of Hawkesbury-based jockey Chad Lever who has been on great form since returning to the saddle late last year. 'I was surprised that he is going out there but when we seen his name down for some rides, we were lucky to be able to get him,' Widdup said. Widdup and lever will also team up with lightly-raced mare Initiate in the Walker Family Showcase Super Maiden Handicap (1300m). The four-year-old is closing in on her first win after a close second to Divo and third to Capital Jicinta at Wyong before a last start fourth behind Denial at Kembla. Power Of The Brave leads all the way and is too good for the rest! ðŸ'¥ @Leesracing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 15, 2025 'She is only a little filly but she tries very hard,' he said. 'She is probably still another preparation away from really being at her best but she is going well. 'Hopefully she can knock her maiden off this weekend. 'I don't think barrier eight is a bad draw for her. 'She's doesn't have real early toe so drawing there, hopefully she can slot in somewhere midfield or maybe a bit closer.' Widdup's final runner for the day is Party Doll in the Club Forbes Showcase Class 2 Handicap (1100m) who will be ridden by stable apprentice, Poppie Gorton. Gorton was having her first day riding at Bathurst two weeks ago when fourth on Party Doll. 'She drew awkward at Bathurst last start and was slow to begin before she took off around them,' said Widdup. 'She just did a lot of work but it was a good effort to finish where she did. 'She is better on top of the ground and is finding it hard to win a race but John (Camilleri, owner) has been good enough to give Poppie a couple of rides on her and her four kilo claim brings her into this race. 'Hopefully she can begin well and be in the race and I'm sure she will run really well if that's the case.' â– â– â– â– â– ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 3 No. 3: INITIATE Has strong provincial form and gets his chance to break through. NEXT BEST Race 4 No. 10: ZOUTASTIC Good win last start and can go back-to-back. VALUE BET Race 2 No. 11: LOST YA SOCK Nice efforts at both runs from a spell. Chance to break through. QUADDIE Race 5: 1, 4, 5 Race 6: 1, 2, 3 Race 7: 3, 11, 13 Race 8: 1, 5, 6, 7 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW CHAD LEVER has a strong book of rides and looks a top chance on the TAB Jockey Challenge. â– â– â– â– â– INSIDE MAIL – FORBES CARAVANSERAI (1), the half-brother to Alizee and Astern, resumed for the Natalie Jarvis stable with a second to Spice Baby at Moruya when coming from well back on the turn. Will strip fitter for the run. PERFORMING DIVA (4) over did it in front on debut when fourth at Nowra. Took a sit and ran on well when second to Lombardi Lass at Goulburn. Resumes here and looks for a forward showing. RITA RED (5) has placed in three of her four runs this campaign and will be thereabouts again. Bet: Caravanserai to win â– â– â– â– â– LOST YA SOCK (11) resumed with a handy second behind Highland Eightgee over 1300m at Dubbo before leading when a half-length third to Gioia River at Corowa. Suited up to 1600m. DANTAINS PRIZE (7) finished close seconds at Narrandera and Wagga before missing the start by three lengths when seventh to Pride Of Jezza. Backed up six days later when fourth at Narrandera. PONTIAC (3) settled near last before motoring home to finish third to Darken over 1660m at Moruya last start. â– â– â– â– â– INITIATE (3) followed a length second to the promising Divo with a third to Capital Jicinta at Wyong after being bumped at the start. Forced to race wide early when fourth to Denial at Kembla last start. Solid form for this. THE CONTRACTOR (2) was spelled after a neck fourth on debut at Dubbo on Apr 7. Handy third at Dubbo first-up then races wide and pulled up lame when fourth at Bathurst on July 21. BLACKFISH (6) makes his NSW debut for the Brett Robb stable. Has claims in three placings in Victoria. â– â– â– â– â– ZOUTASTIC (10) resumed with a fourth at Hawkesbury behind Regimental Colours who won at Randwick last weekend. Went to Grafton and scored a solid win from Stratafy. DEION (6) has had a long campaign but continues to race consistently with two wins and four placings from his last six starts. Led all-the-way to beat Eilrahc at Warren before a third to Smooth Esprit in the Coonamble Cannonball. Carried big weights last two starts and drops to 54kg. CASTLEBAR ROAD (3) was a month between runs when fourth to Durova over 1000m last start. Loves it heavy. â– â– â– â– â– SORRY SUNSHINE (1) ran home nicely under 61kg to beat Freddy's Shock over 1400m on a Heavy 10 at Wagga two starts back. Sat closer and laid out in the straight when fourth to Sunray Lass at Albury. STREET SWAGGER (5) is racing well with a win and two thirds. That Cowra win was his fourth from five ruins on heavy ground. MOTORBOAT (4) raced wide without cover when down the order behind Shropshire Lad in a Highway at Rosehill on July 19 at his first run for a new stable. Bet: Sorry Sunshine to win â– â– â– â– â– DEEPWATER ARTIST (2) defied a betting drift from $5 out to $10 when he came with a closing run down the outside to beat Speed Of Thought over 1175m at Albury. His last 100m suggests he will appreciate the step up to 1400m. UNREAL EXPECTATION (1) followed back-to-back placings on the Acton track at Canberra with a handy win from Metal Magic over 1400m at Bathurst. THOUGHTFUL (3), a relation of fan favourite Happy Clapper, was fourth over 1100m in a Bm58 on the heavy at Goulburn last start. Blinkers off and nose roll on. Bet: Deepwater Artist to win â– â– â– â– â– HIGH DANDY (3) ran a nice fourth behind Walking Painting in a Midway at Randwick second-up. Led and just caught late when runner-up to Glad You Think So in another Randwick Midway. Drawn well and will give this a shake. LOUIE'S LEGACY (11) resumed in Federal Open at Canberra without a trial when a half-length second to Craving magic over 1280m. Stepped up to 1600m with a third to Hot Bandit in the Narrandera Cup. Is a winner on the heavy. 13. MORITZ GIRL (13) was doing her best late over 1400m on the Kensington last start. Loves the 1600m. â– â– â– â– â– ABSTRUSE (6) was held up rounding the home turn when a length third to Selhurst Park at Moruya before coming from a long way back when runner-up to Sutton Vella there last start both over 1010m. The 1100m helps. ROYAL BOMBADIER (7) raced ungenerously in the straight when resuming at Port Macquarie. Much better effort last start when a half-length second to Calido Magic at Gosford. PARTY DOLL (1) did it tough when fourth last start. Handy provincial form before that.
