WIDDUP CLOSING IN ON CAREER MILESTONE
Widdup won the closer at Wyong today with the meeting’s shortest priced favorite Blue Eye Brigid.
Starting at $1.30, Blue Eyed Brigid gave him his 498th success when she overpowered Wyong trainer Damien Lane’s Wealthy Investor ($31) in the closing stages of the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1625m).
Sydney premiership front-runner Zac Lloyd didn’t panic when Blue Eye Brigid was held up for clear galloping room on the inside before the home turn, but extricated her into the clear on straightening and she really warmed up just as Wealthy Investor had gained what appeared to be a winning break.
“Blue Eyed Brigid was short enough, but did look the winner beforehand,” Widdup said this evening.
A $110,000 purchase at the 2024 Inglis Premier yearling sale in Melbourne, Blue Eye Brigid is raced by Widdup’s major client, Mike Gregg’s Mulberry.
“It’s been good to win a couple of races (Bondi Blossom scored at Kembla Grange last Saturday) in the past week for Mike as he celebrated a birthday last weekend,” Widdup said.
“I tried Blue Eyed Brigid over 2200m at Warwick Farm last December without success, and it might be time to stretch her out again.
“She ran second over 1800m at Hawkesbury before the Warwick Farm race.”
Meanwhile, Widdup is thrilled with the progress of his eight times winner Jedibeel, who will resume in the Listed The Warra (1000m) at The Gong meeting after undergoing throat surgery earlier this year.
“Jedibeel has trialled twice and is going great,” he said.
“He will have a third trial leading into The Warra.”
Widdup’s victory with Blue Eyed Brigid was his 12th for the season, and the Hawkesbury training base’s 36th.
