WIDDUPS HOME STAND-ALONE RESULT NOT THE ONE EXPECTED

SUNDAY: May 3, 2026: BRAD Widdup got his home track’s stand-alone “monkey” off his back – but not with the horse most expected.

After $1.22 hotpot Tenenbaum could finish only fourth in the St Johns Park Bowling Club 2YO Clarendon Stakes (1400m) at the opening of yesterday’s 10-race metropolitan program, Hawkesbury’s leading trainer struck back two races later with his first winner at the annual meeting.

Bella Khadijah ($7.50), ridden by leading apprentice Braith Nock, relished both blinkers and surging down the extreme outside of the track to take the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m).

In an all-Hawkesbury finish, Bella Khadijah defeated trainer Michael Vella’s Cosmeena ($31) and the winner’s stablemate Audrey’s Lane ($4.40).

Widdup put blinkers back on Bella Khadijah, who had not won since also scoring at home in July last year in a Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1400m) on heavy ground.

“I took them off her last September, and decided to put them back on to see if we could get her back in winning form,” he said today.

“That obviously worked and getting out wide in the straight also played an important role in the result.

“Audrey’s Lane was closer to the inside, and turned in another gallant performance.”

Bella Khadijah was Widdup’s 45^th winner of the season on a day where he would have “given anything” for high-priced youngster Tenenbaum to win the Clarendon Stakes.

The colt finished fourth behind the Chris Waller trio Stormy Marco ($21), Nations League ($7.50) and Fondness ($8.50), clearly unsuited by being stuck on the inside in the straight.

Though the track was officially rated a “Good 4”, the surface drew widespread criticism, with jockeys describing it as “loose”.

“Extremely disappointing not to win with Tenenbaum,” Widdup said.

“I’ll talk with Mike (Gregg, Mulberry Racing), but I think it’s best to stop with him now and give him a break.

“I don’t think we will be going to Brisbane.”

Tenenbaum, a $750,000 yearling by champion sire Snitzel, was a $6 second favorite for the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 13, but has drifted to $15 following his defeat yesterday.

Whilst Tenenbaum didn’t win, Widdup’s other stand-alone representative Hyperbolic ($9) also ran well to finish second to Asgarda ($9.50) in the Clarendon Tavern Benchmark 88 Handicap )1400m).

“Hyperbolic was toward the inside in the straight as well,” he said.

“Her run was good, and there is a nice race coming up for her in Brisbane at the winter carnival.

“That’s the Group 3 Magic Millions Mares Mile at Doomben in three weeks.”

Widdup is looking to last spring’s Group 2 Flemington carnival winner Sunset Park to also clinch a trip north, in Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2100m).

“She is coming up nicely this preparation, and I wouldn’t mind some rain leading into the Gosford meeting,” he said.

Sunset Park, who has now had two runs back, revelled in the heavy ground to take the Matriarch Stakes (200m) at Flemington last November.