John Schell
Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup had a mixed day at the standalone Saturday meeting at his home track at the weekend and is out to keep the winners flowing when he sends a team to the opening of the Illawarra Grange racing surface today.
The Illawarra Grange circuit is located on the inside of the course proper at Kembla Grange, and Widdup has four runners set to go around.
Widdup enjoyed success at Hawkesbury last Saturday when Bella Khadijah won the Midway, but had short-priced favourite Tenenbaum disappoint as favourite in the Clarendon Stakes. He prepared a winning double at Wyong last Thursday.
“We’ve been ticking along OK,” Widdup said. “And I’m hopeful it can continue on Tuesday at Illawarra Grange.”
Stablemates Whoa Nellie, to be ridden by Tyler Schiller, and Satono Jasmine, with Chad Schofield in the saddle, will clash in the I98FM’s Feel Good Provincial Maiden Handicap (1300m).
“Whoa Nellie is first-up from a spell after two good recent trials and I’m looking forward to getting her back to the races,” Widdup said. “She ran second on the Beaumont at Newcastle at her second start and that was back in December.
“She had a trial at the end of December and then we tipped her out. It looks a nice race for her on Tuesday.
“Satono Jasmine is also resuming, and she’s had two trials as well to get ready. She was down the track on the Beaumont at her debut, but she can improve.”
The talented Tequisoda is first-up from a spell in the Brookvale Union Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m) with Christian Reith aboard.
“He’s a Pierro gelding with his share of ability,” Widdup said.
“He was placed at Wyong at his first start and then won well at Hawkesbury. He ran well when placed in his next two starts and went out for a break after a ninth at Randwick in December. He’s had two recent trials and is ready to run well.”
Reith will partner Widdup’s final runner at Illawarra Grange when Gladstone Grande contests the Kennards Hire Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m).
Supplied by Racing NSW
