THURSDAY: September 24, 2020: SUPERTANKER, the Hawkesbury filly who doesn’t like standing still, didn’t wait for her rivals on her home track today.
A $3 favorite, Supertanker broke through in the Blue Datto Foundation Provincial & Country Maiden Handicap (1300m).
Hawkesbury’s leading trainer Brad Widdup says the three-year-old is a “hot filly” and hates standing still.
As a result, he was forced to saddle her for the race in the hose bay rather than in her designated tie-up stall.
“Supertanker has a lot of nervous energy, so in the circumstances she did a good job to score,” Widdup said this evening.
“She is a healthy filly, and I’m sure has scope for some more improvement.”
Because of her fractiousness, stewards ordered a veterinary examination of Supertanker before clearing her to start.
A daughter of former top sprinter Brazen Beau, she is the seventh foal of the Fastnet Rock mare Head Over Heels and fetched $220,000 at last year’s Inglis Classic yearling sale.
Supertanker is raced by financiers Ben Clifford and Mario Argyrides, newcomers to the Widdup stable.
“I have Melbourne bloodstock agent Chris Blomeley (CB Bloodstock) to thank for recommending Ben and Mario,” Widdup said.
“He rang up out of the blue, and it’s a pleasure to train this filly for them.”
The start of the race was delayed, but Supertanker wasn’t waiting when the gates flung open.
She was first out of the barrier and raced keenly in the early and middle stages outside another Hawkesbury runner, Mitch Newman’s $21 chance Elani Rose, then took charge on straightening.
The result was never in doubt over the closing stages even though runner-up Luminoso ($6.50) made late ground.
Another Hawkesbury representative, Peter Green’s $51 roughie My Rock Singa, was a game third. He also underwent a vet examination before being cleared to run, after arriving at the barrier with blood in its mouth.
Widdup accepted in two races at the meeting with Supertanker, and clearly pulled the right rein in keeping his filly against provincial and country rivals.
Sydney three-year-old Yulong Code ($1.85 favorite) in taking the Pink Finss Charity Maiden Plate over the same distance clocked faster overall time, and ran his final 600m in 33.62secs (Supertanker clocked 36.19s).
Widdup notched his fourth winner of the new season, ending a frustrating run of minor placings this month, whilst winning rider Rachel King, last season’s Hawkesbury premiership victor, clinched a double, having scored earlier on another favorite, Danzidance ($1.35).
. From a Hawkesbury Maiden to a Group 2 at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
That’s what Widdup is hoping to achieve as he saddles both Adelong (Brenton Avdulla) and Akari (Regan Bayliss) in the $400,000 Golden Pendant (1400m).
“Both mares are in good order, and I expect them to run well,” he said.
“Adelong has been just behind the placegetters at her two runs since resuming, and is tackling 1400m for the first time.
“Akari (a Flemington 1400m stakes winner at last November’s Melbourne Cup carnival) ran well first-up when sixth to Fituese over 1100m at Rosehill, and is getting back to her best.”