WIDDUP AIMING HIGHER WITH "JACK"
- John Curtis
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
As a $71 outsider, Nashville Jack was a strong finishing second in the $3m Sunlight Plate (1100m) on the opening day of the Magic Millions carnival.
Nashville Jack’s owner Mulberry Racing bought a slot in the Sunlight, and the move was rewarded when the lightly-raced three-year-old picked up $390,000.
Widdup secured two starters in the 12-horse field, and also finished fourth with Savvy Hallie ($7.50), who raced in the B2B Thoroughbreds slot, earned $180,000.
“I knew the fast pace (winner and favorite Grafterburners clocked a brilliant 1:02.22 after Swordplay had scorched along in front) would suit Nashville Jack,” Widdup said today.
“Savvy Hallie’s run was good as well.
“They will both go back to our Hawkesbury stable, and we’ll look at what’s ahead in the coming months.
“I’m going to have to aim a bit higher with Nashville Jack as his benchmark rating obviously will go up now.
“And Savvy Hallie will contest suitable races against her own sex.”
Nashville Jack had a benchmark 74 rating lining up for only his fifth start, and his first since mid-August when he ran fourth to Skyhook in the Listed Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens.
A son of Farnan, he had won a 2YO Handicap (1100m) at Royal Randwick in July at his previous start.
Whilst Nashville Jack and Savvy Hallie head home, Widdup may have more runners at Saturday’s second day of the MM carnival.
He has a trio of three-year-old fillies – all by Nashville Jack’s sire Farnan – nominated for the $250,000 Maiden Plate (1100m).
They are the cleverly-named Avon Calling (out of Miss Cosmetic), You’re The Choice and Olivia Twist.
As with Nashville Jack, the fillies race under the Mulberry banner.
Thirty-seven horses have been entered for the Maiden Plate (14 can run), and Widdup will have to wait and see how the field shapes up when acceptances are declared to determine his runners.
