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