JEDIBEEL GETS A BERTH IN $5M THE QUOKKA

UNLUCKY weekend Group 1 runner-up Jedibeel is headed for a $5m mission in Western Australia.

Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup today revealed that the gelding’s connections have secured a slot in WA’s richest race, The Quokka, at Perth’s Ascot racecourse on April 18.

The 1200m Quokka is run at weight-for-age along similar lines to Sydney’s The Everest.

Jedibeel is raced by Mike Gregg, his grandson Lachie Sheridan and Gregg’s Mulberry Racing.

The six-year-old gelding came from last to just miss overhauling last year’s Golden Slipper Stakes winner Marhoona in the $1m Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday.

A $190,000 purchase as a 2021 Inglis Classic yearling, Jedibeel has earned nearly $1.9m from eight wins (including the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick 12 months ago) and nine placings.

Tommy Berry rode him in The Galaxy, but had already committed to Sydney sprinter Caballus, the recent Group 1 VRC Newmarket Handicap (1200m) winner at Flemington.

“Jedibeel’s owners have gained a slot in The Quokka, and are keen for him to go to Perth,” Widdup said today.

“He will be my first runner in WA.

“Jedibeel will be flown to Perth on the Thursday week (April 9) before The Quokka.

“Tyler Schiller has agreed to ride him and, of course, is no stranger to the horse.

“He has been on him in six of his wins, including the Challenge last year and the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap at Randwick in December 2024.”

Caballus is the current $3 favorite with TAB.com.au for The Quokka, and whilst Jedibeel is not listed, he will undoubtedly be one of the strong fancies now that he has been announced as a starter.

Whilst Widdup was understandably disappointed to miss out qualifying Hyperbolic at Kembla Grange last Saturday for the $1m Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m), he hasn’t given up hope of getting a representative.

He plans to start recent first-up Rosehill winner Audrey’s Lane in the sixth Qualifier (1350m) at Wyong on Saturday.

Hyperbolic started $3.60 equal favorite when fifth to the other co-favorite Midnight Opal in the fifth Qualifier (1400m) at Kembla Grange.

“I had hoped to go to the Provincial-Midway Final with her, and then the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) at home next month,” Widdup said.

“Now I’m in limbo as to immediate plans for her.”

Audrey’s Lane, who led throughout in a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on March 14 at both her first start since mid-August and at 1200m (her three previous wins were at 1300m twice and 1400m), is Widdup’s sole entry for the Wyong Qualifier.

Twenty-four entries have been received for Wyong, with the first two placegetters securing the 11^th and 12^th spots in the field for the PMC Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11.

The last three spots will go to the three placegetters in next Tuesday’s Wild Card (1400m) at Newcastle.

Along with Audrey’s Lane, fellow provincial entries for the Wyong Qualifier are Show County and Bold and Blazen (Hawkesbury), Lord Of Biscay, Imposant, Tasoraay and Rubi’s Serve (Newcastle), Orthie’s Boys and Outakandy (Gosford), Gooloo Bucky, Audenzia, Dumebi and King Nic (Kembla Grange), and Kristen Buchanan has the lone Wyong nomination Annie’s Rose.

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees landed a treble at today’s country TAB meeting at the Beaumont track with Newy ($4.20), Chisato ($2.60 favorite) and Night Agent ($1.30 favorite, but the latter is not eligible to contest next week’s Wild Card and indicated he may try to qualify the latter in next week’s Wild Card.

Tom Sherry rode all three winners, and lightly-raced Night Agent romped home by a mere 10 lengths in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1350m).

Flying Artie three-year-old Newy upset hotpot Tuscany ($1.26) in the CG&E Maiden Plate (1150m) to the cheers of Newcastle Jockey Club members, Board and staff who have shares in the gelding with MyRacehorse Australia.

Newy, bred by David Baxter who raced the gelding’s dam, the now deceased Knit’N’Purl (who Lees won four races with), was having his fifth start and first since mid-November.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MARCH 24, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS