WIDDUP MAKES IT 150 CAREER WINS
- John Curtis
- Jan 23, 2021
- 2 min read
SATURDAY: January 23, 2021: VULPINE’S city breakthrough at Canterbury last night gave Brad Widdup a training milestone – and it could not have been more appropriate!
Not only did Hawkesbury’s leading trainer clinch the 150th winner of his relatively brief career, but he rewarded the mare’s owner BK Racing & Breeding on the back of buying him two well-bred yearlings at last week’s Magic Millions sales.
A clever Robbie Dolan ride paved the way for Vulpine ($7.50) to post her third win – the first two were at the provincials – in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m).
“She deserved that win in town as she is a mare who hasn’t enjoyed the best of luck,” Widdup said this morning.
“She has had indifferent rides on occasions, and Robbie gave her a great ride last night.”
Dolan made a winning move on the home turn when he kept eventual runner-up Dance ($4.20) bailed away inside him, then shot Vulpine clear on straightening with what proved to be an unbeatable break.
Widdup understandably was especially pleased to get a city result for BK Racing & Breeding.
“They have been great supporters of our business right from the start, and continue to support me,” he said.
“You need owners such as them to keep backing you and putting horses in your stable.
“BK Racing bought me a half-sister (by So You Think) to Rosehill Guineas winner D’Argento at the MM sales last year, and spent $875,000 on colts by Snitzel and Deep Field last week.”
The Snitzel – Savannah River colt fetched $500,000 and the Deep Field – Speedy Kitty youngster cost $375,000.
Vulpine, a four-year-old daughter of Snitzel, cost $340,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions sales and has now raced 15 times for those three wins along with four placings.
Her younger half-sister Eight Diamonds (by Sebring), prepared by Team Hawkes, also scored at Canterbury last night at only her third start.
Widdup, after serving a lengthy apprenticeship with numerous leading stables in Sydney and Brisbane, took out his licence in early 2017 and began his training career in the best possible manner.
He won with his first starter Junglized on Canberra’s ACTON (synthetic) track on May 26 that year, then prepared 51 winners in his first full season in 2017-18.
