FILLY RINGS UP WIDDUP'S SEASON 30TH

THURSDAY: December 12, 2024: ART’S Alive was Brad Widdup’s third winner of the season when she earned nearly $128,000 for winning a $100,000 bonus race at Coffs Harbour on the second day of the new racing year.

Back in the winning list again at Kembla Grange today, the three-year-old filly became the leading Hawkesbury trainer’s 30th of the season.

Art’s Alive ($4) resumed from a spell to take the Class 1 Handicap (1000m), leading home a Hawkesbury quinella.

Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard’s Cryptonic ($7.50) never went outside a horse in the straight and couldn’t quite overhaul his fellow Hawkesbury opponent, though maintaining his consistent form this preparation.

“It was a good tough win,” Widdup said this evening.

“Art’s Alive had trialled nicely twice leading into her resumption, and I expected her to race well.

“She is doing a good job.”

Art’s Alive’s breakthrough in a Super Maiden Showcase Handicap (1000m) at Coffs Harbour on August 2 followed Widdup’s double with Troika and Party Doll at his home track on the opening day of the season.

Her success at Coffs Harbour was the first of 50 $100,000 bonuses on offer this season, courtesy of the Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden Series.

Andrew Adkins rode her in that race, and was back in the saddle today to make it two in a row on her.

Widdup turned Art’s Alive out after she finished fourth (beaten less than two lengths) in a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m) at Wyong on August 18.

She had finished second in an 800m trial at home on November 14 before winning an 845m Wyong heat 12 days later.

Art’s Alive, a daughter of Snitzel, is raced by BK Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd and their racing manager Ben Vassallo.

She fetched $350,000 as an Inglis Australian Easter yearling last year.