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By Ray Hickson

He might be the outsider in the TAB Everest, but Jedibeel running in the world’s richest race on turf is a big deal for Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup.

Trainer Brad Widdup (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Already a Group 1 winning trainer thanks to the deeds of Icebath, the 51-year-old says being part of the $20 million TAB Everest (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday for the first time is an opportunity he’s going to take with both hands.

Whether Jedibeel features in the finish or not he’d like to think it’s an experience he can benefit from with a view to playing a bigger part in the future.

That’s all due to his association with Mulberry Racing, Jedibeel’s owners, the newest slot holders in the TAB Everest who bought a slot vacated by The Star with the future in mind.

“It’s all come a bit quick, it was never initially about buying a slot and Jedibeel running in the race,’’ Widdup said.

“Hopefully down the track this is a good experience for us, not many people get to do something once and get a win.

“You’ve got to be realistic, hopefully you get your turn and we can learn for the future.”

Mulberry’s Mike Gregg has been active at yearlings sales of late and that’s all about building a team of horses and finding that rare one that can win at Group 1 level.

While Jedibeel is $101 prior to the confirmation of the final field, Widdup said it’s special to be the trainer of one of the 12 runners in the TAB Everest.

“That’s what it’s all about, being part of it,’’ he said.

“Everyone is trying to find nice horses and run in the big races, that’s what everyone dreams about. In racing or any sport you want to play at the top level.

“I’m lucky I’ve been through big systems and around some nice horses though I haven’t been there too much myself as a trainer.”

Of course prior to setting up his own training operation, Widdup spent 10 years working for Darley and Godolphin under Peter Snowden and then John O’Shea.

Snowden won the first two editions of the TAB Everest with Redzel, who was partnered by Kerrin McEvoy and Widdup says it’s great to have the champion jockey on board Jedibeel.

McEvoy is the only jockey to have ridden in every edition of the nation’s premier sprint and is a three time winner, with Classique Legend (2020) his third.

“Kerrin is a big game player, he’s done it throughout the world, he rises on the big days. He’s a good jockey to be having on in something like this,’’ Widdup said.

“The race has created so much interest, you speak to other slot holders and it’s an exciting thing for a lot of them.

“I’ve been overseas a bit the last couple of years and it’s not only the Everest they’re talking about, it’s the Golden Eagle and the prizemoney across the board we’ve got.

“We are very lucky, it can escalate quickly if you’ve got a good horse these days. I remember when if you won a million with a horse it was unbelievable and now they’re winning ten million.”

As for Jedibeel, a Group 2 winner of the Challenge Stakes earlier this year, his spring had a later start than planned as he was forced to miss the Concorde Stakes but he’ll take his place in the Everest third-up.

Jedibeel runs fourth in the Premiere Stakes

Widdup said he showed he’s on the right path to run to his best in what will be his toughest contest, against the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising and Australia’s elite short coursers, when an unlucky fourth in the Premiere Stakes (1200m).

Had it not been for some misfortune in the straight, he’s adamant the gelding would have got past Mazu and into a clear third behind Briasa.

“We had that little setback before he was going to run first-up. We’re lucky it was minor, I wouldn’t say we are playing catch up and third-up is fine for him,’’ he said.

“The horse is in great order, I’m very happy with how he is.

“If he can get a bit of cover off a high speed and something to track up it will definitely suit.”

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