RYAN'S COLT BACK IN WINNING FORM

TUESDAY: February 24, 2026: BLAKE Ryan says he would have been disappointed if well-bred colt Just Awesome was beaten at Kembla Grange today.

The Hawkesbury trainer edged closer to a half century of winners when the three-year-old gave him his 49^th success, in the Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1000m).

A $3.70 chance, Just Awesome’s speed took him to a clear lead early and he held on to defeat Kembla Grange trainers Mitch Beer and George Carpenter’s Ride The River ($9.50) and fellow Hawkesbury trainer Ed Cummings’ Triple Yes ($6).

“This was Just Awesome’s third run back, he was fit and back to provincial grade,” Ryan said this evening.

“I would have been disappointed if he had been beaten.”

A $425,000 Inglis Australian Easter yearling purchase in 2024, the Written Tycoon three-year-old was having only his fifth start.

“Just Awesome had an interrupted preparation as he was to have run at Wyong on January 25 when the last three races were called off because of the hot weather,” Ryan said.

“That meant he was five weeks between his first and second runs.

“He knows he is a colt, but was good on the lead today; better than when he ran fourth at Gosford earlier in the month.

“I think he is better suited at 1100m rather than 1000m, and know he has the ability to win at least a midweek race in town.

“He just has to iron out a few things, but I believe he will as he is still relatively inexperienced.”

Even though Ryan’s talented mare Lady Extreme is in the market at $15 for the Provincial-Midway Championships Final at Royal Randwick on April 11, he has virtually ruled out attempting to qualify her.

“She is a very well bred mare with a good record, and the goal is to get black type with her this campaign,” Ryan said.

“Her first-up run at Randwick (a late closing fifth over 1000m at Randwick on February 7) was terrific, and she will go next to the Group 3 Wenona Girl (1200m) there on Saturday week.

“Whilst the Gosford Qualifier is at 1200m, it is the following week and she won’t be backing up.”

.  Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup made it 36 wins for the season when $2.90 favorite Sneaky Choice (Tommy Berry) took the Class 1 Handicap (1500m) at Kembla Grange.

When the field sidestepped the inside on straightening, Berry was left with no option but to go through and then took Sneaky Choice several horses away from the running rail.

Vigorously ridden (Berry was later fined $300 by RacingNSW stewards for using the whip nine times prior to the 100m), she gamely edged out Pompatus ($4) and Reflect ($6).

That was her second victory from only seven starts.

“Sneaky Choice is a very honest mare, and I think she will get further than 1500m,” Widdup said this evening.

“She relaxes so well in her races.”

Widdup is looking forward to taking last start Group 2 winner Savvy Hallie back to Randwick on Saturday for a Group 1 tilt.

Nash Rawiller partners her again in the Surround Stakes (1400m).

Prior to Wednesday morning acceptances, Savvy Hallie was an $8 chance, with boom filly Tempted all the rage at $1.50.

Widdup reported everything is on track for Nashville Jack to tackle Saturday’s $1m Inglis Sprint (1200m) at Flemington.

Runner-up in the $3m Sunlight Plate (1100m) at the Gold Coast on January 10 when resuming, Nashville Jack will be ridden by Damian Lane.

Lane was aboard stablemate Jedibeel, who also resumed last Saturday and ran an excellent fourth in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield.

“He drew awkwardly and that made it very difficult to win,” Widdup said. “In the circumstances he ran really well.

“Jedibeel has come home and most likely will go next to the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14.”

Widdup will launch his Provincial-Midway Championships campaign with Bella Khadijah at Newcastle on Saturday in the provincial only Qualifier (1400m).