Widdup stable set to continue dominance at Hawkesbury

Local trainer Brad Widdup is out to continue his good record at Hawkesbury when saddling up three runners at Thursday’s meeting.

Widdup was last season’s premier trainer at Hawkesbury, and his stable continues to produce a steady stream of winners including Sunset Park in the Matriarch Stakes at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Widdup will saddle up two runners in the Irresistible Pools & Spas Provincial Maiden Plate (1100m) with Admire Me, to be ridden by Tyler Schiller, and Like A Surgeon, with Christian Reith aboard, set to contest the Hawkesbury event.

“Admire Me is a filly that had trialled well before making her debut in a handy race at Gosford behind Jarrito,” said Widdup.

“She was back in the field that day in what was a leader dominated race, and while she finished sixth of six, she wasn’t beaten too far.

“She sticks to the 1100m at Hawkesbury and she’s done well since that Gosford run. I think she’ll improve and figure in the finish.”

Like A Surgeon is a five-year-old mare on debut on the back of two trials. Widdup produced her for a win in the latest of them at Hawkesbury on November 17.

“She’s taken time but shows talent and it will be good to get her to the races,” Widdup said of Like A Surgeon.

Widdup’s remaining runner at Hawkesbury will be Blue Eyed Brigid in the De Bortoli Wines Benchmark 64 Handicap (1800m). Jockey Tom Sherry will take the ride.