Latest News

By John Schell

Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup has high hopes that his stable can snare a couple of early winners when he sends some leading contenders to Tuesday’s Newcastle meeting.

Widdup, who produced Calyx Rose to break her maiden at Sunday’s Cowra Cup meeting, will kick off the day at Newcastle when Sunset Park ($4.20 on TAB) makes her debut in The Advisor Collective Provincial 4YO & Up Maiden Plate (1300m).

“She’s a well-bred mare by Sea The Stars that has taken a little time,” said Widdup.

Hawkesbury-based trainer Brad Widdup. Image by Bradley Photographers

“She had a couple of trials back in July then was put away and she has had another two recent trials leading into the Newcastle race.

"She won the latest of them at Warwick Farm when Tyler Schiller was on her.

"Tyler’s been on her in three of the four trials and he sticks with her at Newcastle. He knows her well which is good.

“She’s drawn a good barrier and it looks a nice race for her to start things off in.”

Widdup is looking forward to seeing Akaka Falls ($8) resume from a spell in the NZB Karaka 99th Yearling Sale Benchmark 64 Handicap (900m) with apprentice Mitch Stapleford taking the ride.

Akaka Falls was allotted 63kg but drops to 60kg with the benefit of Stapleford’s claim.

“It’s a big weight to contend with but he has a great record,” Widdup said of Akaka Falls.

“He’s drawn barrier one which is in his favour. He goes great first-up from a spell, races well at Newcastle and has great wet track form if that’s what we end up having to race on.”

Widdup has three-year-old first starter Don’tcallmekathy ($41), a filly by D’Argento lining up in the Allied The Careful Movers Super Maiden Plate (1200m) with Zac Wadick aboard.

“She’s had a couple of trials and the latest of them was pretty solid,” said Widdup. “She gets in with a light weight after Zac’s claim and hopefully she can run a nice race.”

Widdup also has Bella Khadijah ($10) in the A-Plus Contracting & Poly Welding Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m) with Schiller booked to ride from an outside gate.

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