HAWKESBURY FILLY LANDS FIRST INGLIS BONUS

FRIDAY: August 2, 2024: BRAD Widdup’s blazing start to a new season got even better at Coffs Harbour today – as he kept it “in the family”!

Following success with both his runners Party Doll and Troika at home yesterday on the opening day of the 2024-25 racing year, Hawkesbury’s leading trainer cast his net further north and snared the first of the 50 $100,000 Inglis Xtra Maiden bonuses.

It was a terrific result as his filly Art’s Alive’s victory in the Super Maiden Handicap (1000m) resulted in a $122,000 collect along with a BOBS bonus.

The third foal of the Written Tycoon mare Novel Dancer, Art’s Alive is a younger half-sister to stablemate and yesterday’s last race winner Troika (by Russian Revolution).

Ridden by Andrew Adkins, Art’s Alive ($5.50) was having her sixth start and second this preparation, having resumed when fourth to Gogmagog in a Provincial Maiden (1000m) at Hawkesbury on July 11 on a heavy track.

Widdup sent the three-year-old daughter of Snitzel, who fetched $350,000 as an Inglis Australian Easter yearling last year, to Coffs Harbour yesterday with son Cooper and foreperson Claudia Woods.

The filly was stabled overnight with former Hawkesbury trainer Noel-Mayfield-Smith, now based at Coffs Harbour, and ironically she beat his pair, debutante De Forza ($10) and $101 outsider Sammy Conquers All.

Widdup also accepted with Art’s Alive at his home track meeting yesterday, but opted for a Coffs Harbour assignment because of the attractive Inglis bonus.

“I would not have sent the filly to Coffs Harbour but for the bonus,” he said this evening.

“When we received the information about the bonus races, it was obviously very appealing.

“It was a great result not only to get Art’s Alive’s first win on the board, but also secure such a great prize for BK Racing & Breeding.”

With a victory safely tucked away, the filly was back on the float to Hawkesbury, and her trainer will plan another race for her once she settles back in.