PROVINCIAL trainers Brad Widdup and Mitch Beer between them have prepared 45 winners so far this season – and it’s easy to see why!
Their skills were clearly on show at Kembla Grange on Thursday when each notched first-up victories (with a filly and a mare respectively).
Art’s Alive was Widdup’s third winner of the season when she earned nearly $128,000 for winning a $100,000 bonus race at Coffs Harbour on the second day of the new racing year.
Back in the winning list again at Kembla Grange, the three-year-old filly became the leading Hawkesbury trainer’s 30thof the season.
Beer made it 15 for the season to date when the lightly-raced Blesstas ($12) upset the $2.25 favorite, Wyong trainer Sara Ryan’s How Much Better, in the Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1600m).
Having only her third start and first for her new trainer, the former Queensland mare had not raced since May 10 when fourth in a Class 1 Handicap (1600m) at Gatton.
Art’s Alive ($4) resumed from a spell to take the Class 1 Handicap (1000m), leading home a Hawkesbury quinella.
Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard’s Cryptonic ($7.50) never went outside a horse in the straight and couldn’t quite overhaul his fellow Hawkesbury opponent, though maintaining his consistent form this preparation.
“It was a good tough win,” Widdup said this evening.
“Art’s Alive had trialled nicely twice leading into her resumption, and I expected her to race well.
“She is doing a good job.”
Art’s Alive’s breakthrough in a Super Maiden Showcase Handicap (1000m) at Coffs Harbour on August 2 followed Widdup’s double with Troika and Party Doll at his home track on the opening day of the season.
Her success at Coffs Harbour was the first of 50 $100,000 bonuses on offer this season, courtesy of the Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden Series.
Andrew Adkins rode her in that race, and was back in the saddle at Kembla Grange to make it two in a row on her.
Widdup turned Art’s Alive out after she finished fourth (beaten less than two lengths) in a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m) at Wyong on August 18.
She had finished second in an 800m trial at home on November 14 before winning an 845m Wyong heat 12 days later.
Art’s Alive, a daughter of Snitzel, is raced by BK Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd and their racing manager Ben Vassallo.
She fetched $350,000 as an Inglis Australian Easter yearling last year.
Blesstas, a four-year-old daughter of The Autumn Sun, cost considerably less when sold online earlier this year after only two starts.
“We bought her for $20,000, so her new owners are square already,” Beer said.
“Her trials were ordinary and I thought she might want 2000m, but the race set up nicely for her.
“Blesstas’ jockey Blake Spriggs has moved to Sydney and is riding work for me, and things are going well.”
Spriggs got Blesstas to the centre of the track after straightening, and she was strong over the last 100m, forging clear to easily defeat the fancied runner.
Story John Curtis, December 13, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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