3 minute read
Brad Widdup shakes his head in almost disbelief!
An unraced three-year-old filly who entered his stable last year after being purchased online for just over $10,000 has now won six of her eight starts, and finished runner-up in the other two.
That's the now four-year-old Medaglia D'Oro mare Adelong , who made it three Saturday victories in town when successful at Rosehill Gardens yesterday.
Adelong ($2.80 favorite) never gave ger rivals a sniff when she scooted clear to take the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1100m) by nearly two and a half lengths from Inanup ($17) and Superium ($5).
And she keeps getting better.
"The most pleasing aspect is that Adelong's racecraft continues to improve," Widdup said today.
"She relaxed outside the leader yesterday and then sprinted away to win decisively.
"Buying an unraced horse online for $10,000 and winning six of her first eight starts doesn't usually happen.
"But thankfully she came into my stable, and she doesn't have any soundness issues."
Managing owner Michael Coleman secured Adelong in April last year for $10,175 and asked Widdup to train her.
She made an immediate impression on her trainer, who has skilfully managed her and took her to the races last November at Wyong for an easy winning debut in an 1100m Maiden for four-year-olds and upwards.
An owner's dream, Adelong hasn't looked back since. Yesterday's triumph lifted her earnings to $232,935 – a heck of a lot better than bank interest on a $10,000 outlay!
Despite the ease of her win, that's it for the time being.
"Adelong has done a terrific job, and she will go to the paddock on Tuesday for a short break," Widdup said.
"But it will be only for a couple of weeks. Then we will put her back into work and look to the spring when there are plenty of nice races for mares."
Whilst Adelong has maintained her winning momentum, Widdup is disappointed stablemate Switched has so far been unable to taste success in town.
The All Too Hard filly's third to Outback Diva, after making the running, in yesterday's Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) for three and four-year-olds was her fifth consecutive metropolitan placing.
Her 10 starts to date have yielded two wins (at the provincials) along with seven placings, and she finished fifth at her sole unplaced run.
"Switched is a very genuine three-year-old who gives her all," Widdup said.
"She deserves a breakthrough in town. I will keep her in work and try to win with her at her next start and then give her a let-up as well."
. Adelong's Rosehill success gave Widdup 34 wins for the season, and he hopes to chase another with Sandbar in Saturday's Winter Dash (1200m) dependent on reasonable track conditions.
The Winter Dash winner automatically becomes exempt from ballot for the $200,000 Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton on July 8.
