WIDDUP CATCHES UP WITH ICEBATH

SUNDAY: November 3, 2024: BRAD Widdup’s unsuccessful trip to Melbourne wasn’t in vain!

Whilst his first ever Victoria Derby starter Tenbury Wells didn’t “fire” in the $2m feature at Flemington yesterday, the leading Hawkesbury trainer caught up with an “old mate”.

That was his former stable leading light, the now retired Icebath, who provided him with his maiden Group 1 triumph in the Empire Rose Stakes at the same meeting two years ago.

Widdup visited the now eight-year-old mare at Yulong Farm at Nagambie, about an hour or so outside Melbourne, and was impressed with what he saw.

“Icebath was in terrific order, and her first foal (a filly by resident stallion Alabama Express) is a ripper,” he said.

“And she has been served by Pierata.

“The facilities at Yulong are outstanding.”

Icebath retired as the earner of just over $5.2m, and was purchased by Yulong Investments for $2.3m at last year’s Inglis Chairman’s sale in Sydney.

Widdup was philosophical about Tenbury Wells’ 12th as a $21 chance to South Australian three-year-old Goldrush Guru in the Derby.

“He drew awkwardly and never got into the race,” he said.

“Perhaps he can’t stay, but has come to the end of this preparation and will be spelled.”

Widdup didn’t miss out altogether, winning his 19th race of the season when Be Real (Alysha Collett) justified her favoritism by scoring at Newcastle yesterday.

The four-year-old daughter of Iffraaj won her third race from 11 starts when she took the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1900m) as a well-supported $1.60 hotpot.

“I would have been disappointed if she couldn’t have beaten them in the small field,” Widdup said.

“That was her third run this time, and it was good to get her back into the winning list.”

Widdup has High Dandy and Jedibeel engaged at Tuesday’s Royal Randwick meeting.

High Dandy tackles the $750,000 Little Dance (1600m) with Jason Collett aboard, and Alysha Collett partners the talented Jedibeel in the Choisir Benchmark 100 Handicap (1000m).

Collett rode Jedibeel at his second and third starts when placed at both Newcastle and Kembla Grange.

“High Dandy has drawn off the track in the Little Dance, but will come in a few if the last three emergencies do not gain starts,” Widdup said.

“Jedibeel has trialled well and is ready begin another campaign.

“He’s still a little big in condition, but has a good first-up record and I’m sure will acquit himself well.”

. Fellow Hawkesbury conditioner trainer Terry Croft rang up a half century of wins so far this season for the local training base when Royale Veloute scored at Muswellbrook today.

Ridden by Clayton Gallagher, Royale Veloute ($4.40) edged out the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained $2.20 favorite Space Ace in the Class 1/Maiden Plate (1750m).

Croft and Gallagher teamed to win the Forbes Cup last year with $26 chance Just A Brother, and the combination was unlucky not to repeat the dose in August this year when the gelding came from a “mile” back to finish second to Osman.