Widdup captures first metro win

Tom Walter - Saturday July 29

Three-year-old filly Suspenders provided Brad Widdup with his first city winner as an independent trainer at Rosehill on Saturday.

Advertisement
Brad Widdup (right) and Suspenders' owner Damion Flower. Photo: Steve Hart

Formerly an integral member of the Darley/Godolphin empire, Widdup embarked on a solo training career earlier this year, taking up residency at Hawkesbury.

And with just his 15th starter, Widdup tasted success on a Saturday as his brother-in-law Christian Reith piloted Suspenders to a narrow victory in the #theraces Handicap (1200m).

"I can't believe it really," Widdup said.

"It's come a bit quicker than I thought it would but it's fantastic. Damion (Flower - owner) has put a lot of trust in me.

"She's a nice filly that's had a few issues. She's been flying and every time I've run her she's blown in the market so I'm thinking I must be way off the mark.

"We had waited for this race – it's hard to find a three-year-old fillies race in Sydney."

Suspenders ($8) defeated the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Slumber Party ($5.50) by a half neck while Peter and Paul Snowden's Faith's Encore ($4.40 fav) finished another 1-1/4 lengths back in third.

Reith, who has ridden all five of Widdup's winners to date, derived great satisfaction from the result.

"To have her peak today for her grand final this preparation is just an outstanding job by Brad," Reith said.

"It's a pleasure to go out there (Hawkesbury) and work with him. He's taught me a lot about my riding even over the last couple of months.

"I'm just really proud for him."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sire Power Highlights Quality MM Horses in Training Catalogue
An incredible selection of the country's best proven and hottest young sires will feature at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale in October.
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Tara Talks Racing – Stallion Parades, Old Legends and a Weekend Tip
We’re back in podcast land as the spring unfolds with plenty to talk about following our recent run of visits to the stallion parades, so what stallions did we like?
G1 Plan for Kiwi Sprinter Niance
Six-year-old mare Niance will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week.
Spring Trial Watch – Everest Contenders on Show
The Rosehill trials on Thursday morning featured a couple of key Everest contenders with Private Harry winning easily over speedy 3YO North England, while Lady Shenandoah was under a tight grip to finish third in a later heat.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 28
Here is the full list of 33 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Melbourne Cup Dreaming for Kiwi Stayer
Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang, and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.