Widdup finally wins a close one in stewards’ room

Brad Widdup hasn’t had much luck winning close finishes on the racetrack, but he has managed to claim one in the stewards’ room with improving mare Mind Ya Bizz.

The four-year-old finished second past the post behind Transcend in Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1400m), beaten a half-head in a driving finish.

However, Zac Lloyd, rider of Mind Ya Bizz, was quick to fire in a protest against Tommy Berry aboard Transcend, alleging that horse gave his mount a “severe bump” just strides from the winning post.

“I’ve nearly fallen off my horse,” Lloyd told stewards.

“My horse has definitely come off second best in the bump.”

Berry argued Transcend came from almost two lengths off Mind Your Bizz and had momentum in her favour, telling stewards: “I believe the rightful winner has won the race.”

Transcend pips Mind Ya Bizz on the line! pic.twitter.com/Vxnhbco93k

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 15, 2026

Led by chief stipe Tom Moxon, stewards took a different view, labelling the contact between the horses as “heavy” and upholding Lloyd’s objection.

Widdup has been on the wrong side of his share of close finishes – notably with Icebath who was nosed out in a Golden Eagle, Doncaster Mile and Cantala Stakes before finally claiming the 2022 Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes – and was relieved to have one go his way.

“You never want to win in the stewards’ room, but I think there was enough there,” Widdup said.

“There was a definite bump, and it was a close finish, so it was common sense.”

Mind Ya Bizz is a stable favourite being out of a half-sister to Widdup’s former smart mare Tintookie, who tragically died in a race day fall at the Golden Slipper meeting two years ago.

He believes Mind Ya Bizz has her share of the family’s talent and while the mare has earned a break for now, she will be considered for the 2027 Provincial-Midway Championships.

“She’s still in that. If I can have those sort of bullets firing, we’ll have a look at it,” Widdup said.