WIDDUP'S "GIRLS" ALL TRIAL WELL AT RANDWICK

TUESDAY: July 27, 2021: BRAD Widdup left Royal Randwick this morning totally at ease with himself.

Three of the leading Hawkesbury trainer’s “favorite girls” Icebath, Adelong and Vulpine had all trialled well as they took important steps in their spring preparations.

The trio will trial again at Randwick on August 9 and are likely to kick off new campaigns there at the Winx Stakes meeting on August 21.

“I was very happy with how all three trialled,” Widdup said this evening. “It was an opportunity to give them a good hitout without putting them under any pressure.

“Importantly, they have pulled up well.”

Icebath (Kerrin McEvoy) finished fifth to Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside and Adelong (Jay Ford) finished second, after leading, to Prime Star in separate 900m Group trials on the course proper.

Icebath’s trial was run in a smart 52.68 secs (last 600m in 35.44s), whilst Adelong’s trial was run in 54.03s (last 600m in 35.71s).

Vulpine (Ford) also made the running before finishing third to Fituese in another 735m Group trial on the steeple grass, in 43.49s (last 600m in 33.52s).

Widdup is understandably delighted with the progress of his Golden Eagle and Doncaster Mile runner-up Icebath.

“She has come back a stronger mare,” he said. “She went out weighing 471kg and came back 511kg.

“Icebath was 491kg last week, and that will trim down more with additional work and another trial.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with her. At this stage she will resume in the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) at Randwick on August 21.

“Kerrin (McEvoy) has first offer of the ride, and Jay (Ford), who rode Icebath when just beaten in the Doncaster, is waiting in the wings if he cannot take the mount.

“I want to give Icebath two 1200m runs (the second will be in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on September 11) leading in to the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m) there on September 25.

“Both Kerrin and Jay can ride light, and Icebath won’t get more than 54kg in a couple of her early races.”

Both Adelong and Vulpine are likely to resume in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) against their own sex at the Randwick August 21 meeting.

Whilst Adelong is close to her “fighting weight” after having only a brief let-up following her Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) at Randwick on June 12 – her second consecutive Randwick victory – Vulpine also put on weight during her spell and, like Icebath, has returned a stronger mare.

She led throughout to win the Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 6, and was rested after finishing fifth to Seasons in the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) at Randwick three weeks later.

Widdup’s trio of quality mares between them have won $3m in prizemoney – with seemingly more to come in the coming months.