WIDDUP'S CHANCE TO REPAY OWNER WITH GROUP 1 TRIUMPH

FRIDAY: March 21, 2025: BRAD Widdup knows only too well they don’t hand out Group 1s on a plate.

After no less than four placings (and of course that near miss in the $10m Golden Eagle) in majors with his now retired star mare Icebath, she finally gave him that important breakthrough in the 2022 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Now Hawkesbury’s leading trainer has a live chance to clinch his second Group 1 at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow – and it would be pretty special indeed if he can do it, and not only for himself.

Widdup will be represented by the ultra-consistent Jedibeel (eight wins and seven placings from 18 starts) in the $1m The Galaxy (1100m), with “Aussie Tom” Marquand to ride.

There is great history attached to Jedibeel, who is raced by one of his staunch supporters Mike Gregg in partnership with grandson Locky Sheridan.

“Mike came along when I least expected it, but at a time when it couldn’t have been better as I was well down on horse numbers,” Widdup said this morning.

“He called out of the blue after I had won the Listed Desirable Stakes at Flemington during the 2019 Melbourne Cup carnival, seeking to become involved in the industry.

 “The Grundler was the first horse I bought for Mike from New Zealand, and won his Maiden at Newcastle in February 2021.

“Around the time The Grundler won, Jedibeel was the first and only yearling I bought that year at the Inglis Classic yearling sale.”

Widdup recalls he went beyond Gregg’s budget to secure the son of Cox Plate winner Savabeel for $190,000 because he really liked him, and didn’t want to let him slip.

Gregg went along with Widdup’s decision – and it has been a very happy union ever since between owner and trainer.

Whilst Widdup initially thought Jedibeel might stay judged on his breeding, sprinting has been the now five-year-old gelding’s forte.

His last start sizzling burst to take the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at weight-for-age at Royal Randwick on March 8 took his earnings to $816,150.

A Galaxy triumph tomorrow would add a further $580,000, but that isn’t the real lure of capturing the feature autumn sprint.

“Mike is a fantastic supporter of our stable, and I now have a lot of horses for him,” Widdup said.

“It would be terrific if I could win this Group 1, and repay him for being such a wonderful client and having the confidence in me.

“Jedibeel has trained on well since the Challenge. He has drawn awkwardly, so we just need some luck.

“If he gets that, we know how strong he can be late.”

Unbeaten Newcastle three-year-old Private Harry (Ash Morgan), facing his toughest test at only his fifth start, is an easing $3.30 favorite for The Galaxy, with Jedibeel looking way over the odds at his current $16 quote.

Widdup also starts Be Real (Tyler Schiller) at Rosehill, in the Group 3 Epona Stakes (1900m) against her own sex.

She was good on resumption when fourth to Little Baia in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) at Randwick a fortnight ago, and whilst she also has to overcome a wide draw, has won second-up previously.

Widdup is looking forward to sending High Dandy to Kembla Grange tomorrow for the sixth Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier (1400m).

Stable apprentice Zac Wadick has already qualified Money Team for Widdup, courtesy of his Gosford victory last Saturday, and has the mount on the four-year-old, who returns as a gelding.

“High Dandy is going well, and I’m expecting him to run well,” Widdup said.

“He looks nicely placed, and won first-up over 1500m at home at his last preparation.”