Widdup eyes Hawkesbury title as spring star returns

Hawkesbury is home for Brad Widdup, but a second premiership there is something of an afterthought rather than a target.

Widdup looks to train winners and take a city success above a win on his home track, but admits there is an advantage in not having to travel.

“We try to find the right races for our horses wherever they are,” Widdup said. “I didn’t realise that we were in front in the Hawkesbury premiership until a couple of weeks ago.

“You want to win when you find out because it is an achievement, but the focus is training winners no matter where they are.”

Widdup is one win clear of Chris Waller at Hawkesbury heading into the final meeting of the season there on Sunday, where he will have three favourites.

“They have all found their right races, and I should have a good day at home on Sunday,” Widdup said.

Maidens Viva Macaco and Ironblood Empress, who is a Churchill half-sister to Headley Grange, get their chance to break, while Seven Days will be out to atone for some bad luck last start.

Viva Macaco carries the George Moore silks and has come on after a handy debut.

“Viva Macaco, a Bivouac colt who is owned in Hong Kong, was good on debut when narrowly beaten at Hawkesbury on July 2,” Widdup said. “He has trained on well since, is nicely drawn and gets his chance to break through.

“Ironblood Empress was terrific at her first start in town at the Kensington Track when a close fourth to Consulate against her own sex.

“She is a nice filly, and a half-sister to Joe Pride’s Group 1 winner Headley Grange.

“Even though she is drawn awkwardly, she comes back to her home track in a Provincial Maiden and should be hard to beat.

“Seven Days struck some trouble at the start when runner-up at Hawkesbury on July 2 on a soft track, and races well at home. She won here last year on similar ground.

“It would be nice way to finish the season if a couple of them could win.”

Widdup has classy Savvy Hallie back in work for the spring and is hoping the Surround Stakes runner-up can find a group 1 victory.

“She is the type of mare that we need to find the right race for. She has the talent to be competitive at the top level and has come back well,” Widdup said.

“It is horses like her that can take us to the next level.”