SMALL GETS EARLY WINNER AHEAD OF HAWKESBURY MOVE

APPRENTICE Leeshelle Small’s impending link with Brad Widdup could not have got off to a better start.

The New Zealand expatriate is soon to join the leading Hawkesbury trainer after a successful stint in the country with Scone trainer Rod Northam, and Widdup took the opportunity to book her for Bondi Blossom at Newcastle yesterday.

Small’s 3kg provincial allowance came in handy as Bondi Blossom ($5.50) edged out Newcastle pair, Jason Deamer’s Rose Water ($18) and Kris Lees’ Crathie Kirk ($2.50 joint favorite) in a tense finish to the Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1500m).

This was Small’s 63^rd winner – and 27^th this season – after beginning her Australian riding career with Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride before gaining valuable country apprenticewith Northam.

Small’s move to Widdup’s stable arose when the trainer’s previous apprentice Poppie Gorton relocated to the country to also gain further experience.

“Leeshelle will transfer to me in another week or so, and it was great to see her win on Bondi Blossom,” Widdup said today.

“She got the job done as Bondi Blossom was the hope of our side yesterday (and provided

Widdup with his 43^rd season winner).

“Bondi Blossom is a very consistent filly, and that was her second win and she has also been placed three times from only nine starts.”

Widdup paid $45,000 on behalf of major client MulberryRacing for the now three-year-old at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions yearling sale.

He went back last year and bought a so far unraced Playing God youngster.

Whilst naturally pleased to get another win with Bondi Blossom, Widdup indicated Mulberry’s Nashville Jack was likely to be gelded after hanging out badly and was eased down by his rider Tommy Berry when last in the Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) at Royal Randwick yesterday.

“Nashville Jack is fine in his trackwork at home, and shows no signs of hanging,” Widdup said of the Farnan colt, who was runner-up earlier this year in both the $3m Sunlight Plate (1100m) at the Gold Coast and $1m Inglis Sprint (1200m) at Flemington.

Meanwhile, Widdup’s stable star Jedibeel has arrived safely in Perth ahead of Saturday’s $5m The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot racecourse.

“We had to float him to Melbourne last Thursday for a flight to Perth along with some other Quokka candidates and a number of standardbreds,” Widdup said.

“Rosie Jilla is looking after Jedibeel. She took him to the beach this morning, and he will gallop at Ascot on Tuesday morning.”

The Quokka is a slot race run along similar lines to Sydney’s The Everest, and is Western Australia’s richest race.

Jedibeel is currently on the fourth line of betting at $11, with Sydney sprinter and recent Group 1 VRC Newmarket Handicap winner Caballus heading the market at $3.50.

. Fellow Hawkesbury trainer Claire Lever travelled to Goulburn yesterday, and the trip was worthwhile when Lucky Star broke through at his 19^th start after seven minor placings.

Lever put blinkers on the five-year-old who, as a $6.50 chance and with Amy McLucas aboard, rolled $1.70 favorite Classic Touch in the Class 1/Maiden Plate (1600m).

Lucky Star was bred by his owner Kim Harding OAM.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, APRIL 12, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS