THE BIV WINS IN FAMILIAR COLOURS

HAWKESBURY Race Club chief executive James Heddo was in the winning list at Orange yesterday with a filly he part-owns.

The Biv, carrying the familiar colours (green and white diagonal stripes) of Gosford’s Cusick family, broke through for leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup in the Maiden Plate (1000m) at only her third start – and first since October.

Ridden by Chad Lever, The Biv ($3.40) wasn’t the quickest away but quickly burnt through to share the lead on the inside with Just Joan ($26), and gave a good “kick” on straightening to virtually put the race to bed.

The Biv defeated $3.30 favorite Ivory Frost and $11 chance Milk Foam; the $13,950 first prize topping the $12,500 the daughter of Bivouac fetched as a 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling.

“The filly’s win carried extra significance racing in the Cusick family colours,” Heddo said today.

“The late Malcolm Cusick had a lot of success with those colours, primarily racing horses with the late Muswellbrook trainer Pat Farrell.

“Malcolm was chairman of Gosford Race Club for 35 years, and also served on the Sydney Turf Club and TAB Boards.

“Malcolm’s son Nicholas bought this filly, and members of the family, including his brother Michael (current Gosford Race Club chairman), and friends are involved racing her.

“As a former Gosford CEO, I was invited to take a share in The Biv, and because of my involvement with Hawkesbury Race Club, we asked Brad to train her.

“The Biv has needed time, so Brad has not pushed the filly and has done a good job with her.

“It was only a Maiden at Orange, but we were all thrilled to see her win yesterday.”

Widdup did not start The Biv as a two-year-old, and gave her two runs last October as an early three-year-old.

She ran seventh and fifth respectively in 1000m and 1100m Hawkesbury Maidens before going for a break.

“Since coming back into work, The Biv trialled well at both Hawkesbury (February 24) and Rosehill Gardens (March 10) when second on both occasions,” Widdup said this morning.

“We found a nice race to kick her off in yesterday, and it was good to see her get the job done for everyone concerned.”

Kembla Grange trainer Ross McConville also was in the winning list, at yesterday’s corresponding meeting at Goulburn, with another lightly-raced three-year-old Decota.

Starting at $12 and ridden by Brock Ryan, the gelded son of Trapeze Artist was having only his second start.

He defeated Capital Belle ($9) and $1.95 favorite Odin’s Eye.

Decota is the second foal of the Sessions mare Put A Spell On You, who won four races in Western Australia, and was purchased for $30,000 by McConville under his Tullimbar Pty Ltd banner at the 2024 Inglis Premier yearling sale in Melbourne.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MARCH 23, 2026