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Winning Streak Continues For Brad Widdup

3 minute read

Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup clinched his second provincial double this season at Kembla Grange on Tuesday.

Brad Widdup
Brad Widdup Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Widdup had only two starters - Cry Of Achilles and Lagarde – and scored with both.

Christian Reith rode Cry Of Achilles in the Provincial & Country Maiden Handicap (1200m), and Sam Clipperton partnered Lagarde in the Class 1 Handicap (1000m).

Cry Of Achilles broke through at his seventh start, downing favorite Speed and Style after the pair had staged a battle right to the post.

Lagarde also upset another favorite Ariege after being strongly challenged by the runner-up in the straight.

Widdup put visors on Cry Of Achilles and removed blinkers, but didn’t feel the gear change contributed greatly to the result.

“It was the right race for him,” he said. “This is his first preparation for me and he keeps improving.”

Cry Of Achilles is a well-bred three-year-old by Snitzel from the Charge Forward mare Headway, who raced in the Makybe Diva colours and won the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in her three-year-old season.

Widdup feels he has “worked out” Lagarde, who has now won two of her last three starts after a frustrating run of nine minor placings.

“She is best a bit on the fresh side and really enjoys the 1000m,” he said. “Both her wins have been over that distance and she has been dominant both times.”

Lagarde broke through in an Orange Maiden Plate (1000m) on March 24 before finishing fourth to Ladies’ Gem in a Class 1 Handicap (1100m) on her home track on April 16.

“Her run at Hawkesbury was good,” Widdup said. “She drew awkwardly and they caught her only in the last 100m.”

Widdup was glad he pulled the right rein in scratching Lagarde from a similar race over 1100m at last Friday’s opening of the Scone carnival, even though it was worth more money.

“She drew poorly at Scone, and the Kembla race definitely looked more suitable,” he said.

Widdup is on a winning streak winning four races in the last six days.

The Kembla double took him to 34 wins for the season.

Love My Cashews made it two wins from as many starts for Widdup with an authoritative performance at Kembla Grange last Saturday.

Ridden by Mitchell Bell – who has partnered her in both wins – Love My Cashews produced a slick turn of foot in the straight to thrash her rivals in the Class 1 Handicap (1200m) by four and a half lengths.

Love My Cashews had won a Maiden Plate (1100m) at Gosford on Anzac Day when on debut.

“Love My Cashews is doing everything asked of her, but I’m not getting carried away yet,” Widdup said.

“She still has upside, but I’ll continue to go softly with her.

“There is another suitable race coming up for her at a Saturday meeting at Gosford.

Love My Cashews is the first horse Widdup has trained for prominent owner Nick Moraitis.

Widdup got her last season as an unraced three-year-old and this is the mare’s third preparation with him.


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