NOTHING "GREY" ABOUT WIDDUP'S 25TH SEASON WIN

THURSDAY: November 28, 2024: BRAD Widdup continued his excellent season by scoring at his home track today with odds-on favorite The Grey.

But the leading Hawkesbury trainer missed his 25th success in 2024-25 as he is attending Tattersalls sale in the UK.

Ridden by Josh Parr, The Grey ($1.80) was never threatened, and scored by two and a half lengths from Donwon ($6.50) and debutante Kingsland ($3.10) in the HRC Motel Maiden Plate (1100m).

Such has been Widdup’s start to the first quarter of the current season that his 25 winners (and an overall career tally of 382) is seven more than the same period last year.

And there may be more to come at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday – weather permitting.

Widdup has both Jedibeel (Listed Starlight Stakes, 1100m) and Confess Our Dreams (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1100m) ready to go.

Tommy Berry has been booked for the ever reliable Jedibeel, whilst stable apprentice Zac Wadick’s 3kg claim lessens Confess Our Dreams’ weight to 57kg as she chases a city hat-trick.

However, forecast rain in Sydney may have the final say.

“Both Jedibeel and Confess Our Dreams have good records on soft ground,” Widdup’s wife Milissa said this evening.

“However, whilst Confess Our Dreams will run, Brad will think seriously about starting Jedibeel if the track becomes heavy.”

Widdup’s victory with The Grey was his sixth at home this season.

Now Hong Kong-based Mark Newnham purchased the Deep Field three-year-old for $140,000 at last year’s Magic Millions yearling sale at the Gold Coast on behalf of owner Frank Mittiga, who races him with a syndicate which includes Newnham’s wife Donna.

“Frank has long been a great supporter of the industry, and a great supporter of our stable,” Mrs Widdup said.

“His winners include the Group 2 Ingham Stakes twice with Something Anything (2008) and Quackerjack (2019).

“Frank always wanted to race a grey horse, and that’s why he named this horse when Mark bought him.

“The Grey was transferred to Brad without having a start when Mark moved overseas last year.

“He had three starts at his first preparation and finished second in two of them, and has come back really well after being gelded.”

The Grey resumed when runner-up to Apex in a Super Maiden (1100m) at Hawkesbury on November 12, and the ease of his win today suggests more are to follow.