GUZUMPED A "DUNDEEL" AT WYONG

THURSDAY: June 6, 2024: IT’S been 12 months between wins for Guzumped, but he hasn’t been “duping” anyone!

Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup was pleased to get the lightly-raced four-year-old back into the winning list at Wyong today, and was quick to point out why there has been a gap between his two victories.

“Guzumped has had a couple of issues,” Widdup said this evening. “He had a quarter crack in a foot, and we had to give him time off.

“He has been pretty consistent with three seconds and a third in between the two wins.

“That was only his ninth start today and his second run this campaign, and there is definitely more improvement in him.

“As he gets fitter I’m sure he will handle further than today’s 1600m, especially as he was runner-up twice last winter over 2100m at Hawkesbury and Gosford.”

Guzumped was a $200,000 Magic Millions yearling buy at the Gold Coast in 2021, and began his career in Sydney with Mark Newnham, who started him only once as a two-year-old (at Wyong in July, 2022).

When Newnham relocated to Hong Kong last year, the Dundeel gelding was transferred to Widdup, who made an immediate impact by scoring first-up with him in a Kembla Grange Provincial Maiden Plate (1600m) on May 23 last year.

Tyler Schiller rode Guzumped in that Kembla win 12 months ago, and in a further three runs and again was aboard in today’s Class 1 Handicap (1600m).

The Hawkesbury gelding was all the rage and went to the post a dominant $1.75 favorite, but Schiller looked to be in trouble at one stage during the race when his mount was shuffled back and trapped between other runners.

However, he kept his cool and once he got Guzumped to the outside on straightening and balanced, he proved superior and defeated outsiders Prince Of Arendell ($20) and Really Motivated ($19).

Guzumped was Widdup’s 55th winner of the season, and he has a number of acceptors at Saturday’s mammoth 11-race card at Royal Randwick.

The team includes last start Hawkesbury winner Be Real and the talented Ruby Flyer, who also was an acceptor for Saturday’s Eagle Farm meeting, but isn’t heading north.