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By Gary Harley

Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup has trained eight winners this month and he has bright prospects of increasing that number when he sends a float load of gallopers to the Newcastle Jockey Club meeting on Sunday, the last day of November.

Good friend Christian Reith rides three of Widdup’s runners while Tamworth-based apprentice Siena Grima rides the other Tenbury Wells in the 1250m Tooheys New Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap.

The gelding finished down the track in the Randwick Guineas, Tulloch and Packer Plate in the autumn, however, the four-year-old although unplaced wasn’t far away in two starts in Midway company at Randwick in September.

Tenbury Wells (Alysha Collett) scores at Kembla Grange. Image by Bradley Photographers

Tenbury Wells hasn’t raced for two months but he trialled okay at Hawkesbury on November 17 and originally allocated 62kg, Tenbury Wells will carry 59kg after Grima’s allowance and he has drawn a positive barrier.

The consistent three-year-old Tequisoda from the Widdup stable will line up for his fourth start in the 1500m Tooheys Extra Dry Class 1 Handicap.

The colt was bumped a couple of times out of the barrier when runner-up on debut at Wyong July 5 then went to the barriers at $1.25 when successful at Hawkesbury on July 20.

First-up at Kembla on November 15 Tequisoda was slow away and finished strongly to finish third 1.90 lengths from the winner.

He will appreciate the longer trip and Reith, who has ridden the colt in all three starts has the mount.

Widdup’s New Zealand bred 4yo Hardpoint will have a number of gear changes when he contests the 1900m Tooheys Ultra Class 1 Plate.

The gelding wanted to lay in down the straight when placed at Wyong on November 16. Hardpoint races on the speed and he led in the Group 2-Tulloch Stakes on a heavy track when he was beaten seven lengths after being backed form $61 to $26.

Widdup’s 5yo mare Like A Surgeon is on debut after a number of trials. She steps out in the opening event the 900m Tooheys Draught Maiden Handicap. The mare won a recent Hawkesbury trial.

Wyong filly Precious Girl is an opponent of Like A Surgeon and this could be her race after three runner-up performances at Newcastle and Gosford recently. The 3yo trained by Denim Wynen has brilliant speed and regular rider Andrew Gibbons has the mount.

Rosehill-trained Matias is due for a change of luck in the 1500m Tooheys How Do You Feel Maiden Handicap.

The gelding has stormed home to finish second in his two starts at Rosehill and Canterbury this preparation with Jay Ford in the saddle. He will appreciate the longer straight and Ford rides again.

Chris Waller's Emballee placed on the Kensington Track and an easy Hawkesbury Maiden winner during October, will be hard to beat in the 1400m Tooheys Old Benchmark 64 Handicap.

Sunday's raceday is the Tooheys Charity Raceday supporting Samaritans Christmas Lunch.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Newcastle here