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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Brad Widdup concedes Jedibeel will need to produce something special in Saturday’s Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick to be considered for next month’s TAB Everest after a false start to his preparation.

The six-year-old had to be scratched from the Concorde Stakes, a major TAB Everest lead up, with some jarring to a hoof and while minor it put him on the back foot.

Jedibeel’s owners, Mulberry Racing, have a slot in the $20m TAB Everest but it’s more likely the gelding will race in the $2m Sydney Stakes (1200m) on the same day.

“They don’t want to take a horse to the Everest and make a gimmick of it,” Widdup said.

“They are open to what’s around and he’s not locked in by all means. He’s got to win his way or be competing well to earn a slot.

“He’s a very good horse and there’s a lot of races for him down the track. Hopefully waiting and doing the right thing will pay off.”

Widdup isn’t pretending that taking on the likes of Private Harry, Briasa, Joliestar, Headwall and others in what will be a mini-Everest like contest in The Shorts is going to be an easy task.

He saw the Concorde as that ideal kick off point, especially after he drew ideally, given his strong fresh credentials and liking for the Randwick 1000m.

Jedibeel cruises through an exhibition gallop at Rosehill, running 37.28 for his last 600m, under @KPMcEvoy. He'll ride the @BWiddupRacing sprinter in the Group 2 The Shorts next Saturday. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/iwEMGGNAyr

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 13, 2025

“It’s a very hard race, I totally understand that. That’s why it was frustrating not being able to run last week,’’ he said.

“I’m not saying he would have won that race but he drew well and it looked a good race for him.

“This race is going to be ten times harder, we’re under no illusions there, but we’ve got to kick him off somewhere.”

Kerrin McEvoy sent Jedibeel through his paces at Rosehill on Saturday with a leisurely gallop, clocking 37.28 for his final 600m.

Widdup said it was basically an exercise to keep him ticking over and to get a bit of that race day adrenaline flowing.

“I wanted to get him away from home and do a little bit of work,’’ he said.

“I didn’t want to go to the trials again, I really couldn’t, I just had to back off him and get him right and get him ticking over again.

“It was a nice little hitout, I’ll need to do a little more during the week and hopefully he can acquit himself well next week.”

Meanwhile, Silver Shadow Stakes winner Savvy Hallie has been sent for a break following her third in the Furious Stakes with Widdup saying she’ll benefit from not going further into the spring.

“She’s going to be better as she gets on. I think it’s a good idea to stop now and give her a break and see what happens,’’ he said.

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