Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup has trained eight winners this month and he has bright prospects of increasing that number when he sends a float load of gallopers to the Newcastle Jockey Club meeting on Sunday, the last day of November. Good friend Christian Reith rides three of Widdup’s runners while Tamworth based apprentice Siena Grima rides the other Tenbury Wells in the 1250 metre Tooheys New Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap. The gelding finished down the track in the Randwick Guineas, Tulloch and Packer Plate in Autumn however the 4-year-old although unplaced wasn’t far away in two starts in Midway company at Randwick in September.
Tenbury Wells hasn’t raced for two months, however he trialled okay at Hawkesbury on November 17 originally allocated 62 kilograms Tenbury Wells will carry 59 kilograms after Grima’s allowance and he has drawn a positive barrier.
The consistent three-year-old Tequisoda from the Widdup stable will line up for his fourth start in the 1500 metre Tooheys Extra Dry Class 1 Handicap. The colt was bumped a couple of times out of the barrier when runner up on debut at Wyong July 5 then went to the barriers at $1.25 when successful at Hawkesbury on July 20. First up at Kembla on November 15 Tequisoda was slow away and finished strongly to finish third 1.90 lengths from the winner. He will appreciate the longer trip and Reith, who has ridden the colt in all three starts has the mount.
Widdup’s New Zealand bred 4-year-old Hardpoint will have a number of gear changes when he contests the 1900 metre Tooheys Ultra Class 1 Plate. The gelding wanted to lay in down the straight when placed at Wyong on November 16. Hardpoint races on the speed and he led in the group 2 Tulloch Stakes on a heavy track when he was beaten seven lengths after being backed form $61 to $26.
Widdup’s 5-year-old mare Like A Surgeon is on debut after a number of trials. She steps out in the opening event the 900 metre Tooheys Draught Maiden Handicap. The mare won a recent Hawkesbury trial. Wyong filly Precious Girl is an opponent of Like A Surgeon and this could be her race after three runner up performances at Newcastle and Gosford recently. The three-year-old trained by Denim Wynen has brilliant speed and regular rider Andrew Gibbons has the mount.
3-year-old Rosehill trained Matias is due for a change of luck in the 1500 metre Tooheys How Do You Feel Maiden Handicap. The gelding has stormed home to finish second in his two starts at Rosehill and Canterbury this preparation with Jay Ford in the saddle. He will appreciate the longer straight and Ford rides again.
Chris Wallers Emballee placed on the Kensington track and in an easy Hawkesbury Maiden winner during October will be hard to beat in the 1400 metre Tooheys Old Benchmark 64 Handicap. Sundays Race Day is the Tooheys Charity Race Day supporting Samaritans Christmas Lunch.