WIDDUP'S COWRA "BREAKOUT" WIN A SPECIAL RESULT

SUNDAY: January 19, 2025: HAWKESBURY’S leading trainer Brad Widdup opened the new year with a “breakout” victory at Cowra today.

It was the first time he had raced horses there – and there was a special attachment to his win with lightly-raced filly Calyx Rose.

“My grandfather was a soldier and stationed at Cowra at the time of the infamous Cowra Breakout in 1944, and survived,” Widdup explained.

“I have been to the town only once, and haven’t had runners there previously.”

More than 1100 Japanese soldiers escaped from a POW camp near Cowra – and four Australian soldiers lost their lives along with 231 of the Japanese, who were either killed or committed suicide in the biggest and bloodiest prison escape of World War 11.

The remaining escapees were recaptured and imprisoned.

Widdup sent two three-year-old fillies to Cowra; one of the pair adding to his season’s tally.

After Initiate ($3.90) ran second in the Maiden Plate (950m), stablemate Calyx Rose ($3.10) two races later downed $2.70 favorite Tomcat Flowers in the Super Maiden Plate (1375m).

It was a good move heading to Cowra as Calyx Rose, a $4500 Inglis HTBA yearling purchase, snared a $22,000 purse by landing the $50,000 Super Maiden.

“I was running out of options for her following two provincial starts in December,” Widdup said.

Stable apprentice Zac Wadick rode both fillies, and gave Calyx Rose a perfect run, coming out from behind Tomcat Flowers on straightening to get the upper hand in the closing stages.

Calyx Rose was Widdup’s 34th winner in the first half of the season, and a career 391 as he bears down on a milestone 400 victories.

Widdup has just returned from the annual Magic Millions sales at the Gold Coast, having secured 10 yearlings.

It was his most successful MM sales, with great supporter, Sydney businessman and Jedibeel’s owner Mike Gregg, purchasing seven of them.

“Mike came along at exactly the right time a few years back, and I’m very appreciative of his ongoing support,” Widdup said.