MARCH 18, 2025: THEY both had their reasons to celebrate wins at their home track at Hawkesbury today.
Leading trainer Brad Widdup raised the bat for a half century this season and became the premiership front-runner in the process, whilst Blake Ryan was relieved to get back into the winning list after five minor placings since his previous winner (Graeci at Canberra on February 21).
And his winner, $1.22 hotpot Able Yellow, had to withstand a protest in the Great Northern 4YO & Up Maiden Plate (1500m).
Following on from Widdup’s brilliant unbeaten run with former Victorian Money Team, a $55,000 online buy who has qualified for the $1m Provincial-Midway Championships Final, he was successful with another online purchase, this time for $25,000.
Ex-Godolphin four-year-old Gandalf (Tyler Schiller) landed the Brookvale Union Red Pub Soda Provincial Maiden Handicap (1100m) on debut.
Gandalf defeated another debutante, $2.50 favorite Sosueme.
A gelded son of Impending, Gandalf’s dam Wild Queen has a real Hawkesbury connection.
She won both the Listed Ladies Day Cup (1300m) and Group 3 Hawkesbury Cup (1600m) in 2005, and altogether 10 of her 21 starts for Gai Waterhouse AO.
Gandalf, named after the wizard from The Hobbitt and Lord of the Rings, is the last foal of the Loup Savage mare Wild Queen, who died in March 2022.
It was Widdup’s wizardry which saw him pick up the gelding when he was put up for sale last December.
“Gandalf had cysts in both stifles, which is not uncommon,” Widdup explained.
“Godolphin bushed him for 12 months and then he went shin sore as a four-year-old.
“I remembered seeing him trial at Hawkesbury last September and thought he trialled well enough, and was worth a gamble.”
Widdup’s 50th winner of the season – he is well on track to top his benchmark 63 in 2021-22 – included his 10th at home, edging him one ahead of Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald in the race for local premiership honours.
Widdup also is looking forward to running his Group 2 Challenge Stakes winner Jedibeel in Saturday’s $1m Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens.
“Jedibeel galloped at home this morning, and is in great order,” he said.
Ryan claimed his eighth winner of the season (and career 37th) when Able Yellow led throughout to defeat seven other local rivals.
However, he had to survive a protest lodged by co-trainer Phil Vigouroux on behalf of runner-up Legris ($26), alleging interference 150m from the finish.
RacingNSW stewards dismissed the objection, saying they could not be comfortably satisfied that Legris had fully established a run inside Able Yellow as well as bearing in mind the winning margin was a long neck.
Whilst Able Yellow broke through only narrowly at his third start, Ryan got encouragement from Able Yellow’s rider Jay Ford.
“Able Yellow begins quickly, and Jay did the right thing in leading on him,” Ryan said.
“But he was adamant afterwards that he is not a leader, and definitely better when chasing.
“I’m sure he can win a couple more races, but uncertain what level he will get to.
“I’ll will see how he does in the next few days before deciding whether to give him another run or a break.
“This is his first preparation with me, and he has done a good job, being placed at his first two runs and then winning today.
“You can’t ask for much more than that.”
Ryan has another four months and change to better last season’s tally of 13 wins.
“I always want to get better each year, and we’ll be doing our best to get at least another six to achieve that,” he said.
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