PLAN B WORKED PERFECTLY FOR HYPERBOLIC

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BRAD Widdup had two plans for Hyperbolic’s new jockey Adam Farragher at Hawkesbury yesterday – and gave him full credit for adopting the second one.

Having his first ride on the consistent mare, Farragher called on Plan B and made use of clear running near the inside in the straight to bring her from well back to clinch a well deservedstakes breakthrough in the process.

Hyperbolic ($8.50) came from last approaching the home turn to nab dual Group 1 placegetter Paltrow Miss ($4.80 favorite) in the closing stages of the Listed Evergreen Turf Ladies Day Cup (1500m).

“I mentioned to Adam prior to the race to take up a nice position if Hyperbolic bounced away well at the start,” the leading Hawkesbury trainer explained today.

“But I also told him not to drive her along if she didn’t begin well.

“He took the latter option when she didn’t jump the best, rode her patiently and then took an inside route on straightening rather trying to go to the extreme outside.

“Adam came here from overseas to ride for Ciaron Maher, and it wasn’t easy to find someone to ride Hyperbolic at her 54kg minimum in a stakes race at the provincials on a Saturday.

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“Full marks to him. He rode the mare well.”’

Hyperbolic, a five-year-old daughter of Proisir, was one of the first horses Widdup purchased for his major client, Mike Gregg’s Mulberry Racing, from New Zealand as a yearling.

She fetched $240,000 at the 2023 NZ Bloodstock Karaka sale, and has now won six races and been placed nine times and earned just over $584,000.

“Hyperbolic is a really good mare, and very genuine,” Widdup said.

“Her Hawkesbury record is excellent with two wins and three seconds from five starts at home.

“It was good to see her finally get some black type after being placed three times at Group 3 and Listed level.

“She has pulled up well, and we will have to consider having a shot next at the $1m Group 3 The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday week.”

Widdup put a cross-over nose band back on Hyperbolic for her Ladies Day Cup assignment.

“She isn’t a quirky mare, but Rosie Jilla rides her work and feels it suits her best,” he said.

Widdup had hoped to kick off debutante Toytown for Yu Long Investments in yesterday’s $1m Golden Gift (1100m) for two-year-olds, but the Lucky Vega colt was an emergency and didn’t secure a start in the Listed feature.

He may now try to begin his career in Saturday’s Max Lees Classic (900m) at Newcastle Jockey Club’s metropolitan The Hunter fixture.

“The 900m isn’t really suitable, but Toytown is ready to go to the races,” Widdup said.

Stablemate Jedibeel continues his comeback campaign with a third trial at Warwick Farm on Thursday ahead of a planned resumption in the Listed The Warra (1000m) at The Gong meeting at Kembla Grange.

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The eight-times winner and $2m plus earner hasn’t raced since pulling up with a throat issue after the $5m The Quokka (1200m) at Perth’s Ascot racetrack in April.

He has been placed at both his recent trials at Royal Randwick (October 6) and Rosehill Gardens (October 19), and Widdup says he will have a “nice trial” on Thursday to ready him for his return.

Jockey Jean Van Overmeire’s Hawkesbury treble pole vaulted him to equal premiership leader with Tommy Berry (who rode at Rosehill Gardens yesterday).

Overmeire scored on Dance With Destiny ($3.20), Valentiago($5.50) and Viipuri ($3.90 favorite) to join Berry on seven winners apiece in just over the first quarter of the new season.

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s double in the first two races also meant they shared the trainers’ premiership lead with Bjorn Baker with six wins each.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, NOVEMBER 8, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS