WIDDUP “HOOKS” A KENSINGTON WINNER

BRAD Widdup returned from a northern adventure to “hook” a nice winner on the Kensington track today.

Hawkesbury’s leading trainer bagged his 55th winner of the season when Hasty Honey ($3.20) trounced her rivals in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1550m).

The four-year-old daughter of Epaulette began well and, when nothing else was keen to lead, jockey Kerrin McEvoy took up the running on the mare, who bowled along in front and put her rivals to the sword when he called on her in the straight.

Hasty Honey defeated Kembla Grange gelding Victory Lane ($26) by two and three-quarter lengths, with $2.25 favorite Pink Shalala third.

Widdup has just returned from a fishing trip with a number of his clients to the Gulf Of Carpentaria last week, and was delighted to get such a good result with Hasty Honey for her owner, Sydney businessman Adrian Whittingham.

“Adrian has been with me from the early days, and continues to be a very good supporter of the stable,” he said en route home this evening.

“We’ll try to sneak another midweek win with Hasty Honey, and I believe she is up to Saturday grade during the winter.”

Hasty Honey is the second foal of the Mossman mare Honey Cara, whom Whittingham raced.

She won five of her 15 starts, and three of those victories were at Sandown, The Valley and Flemington from 1800m to 2040m.

Widdup believes his mare also will manage up to 2000m.

Hasty Honey was placed at Group 3 level in the JHB Carr Stakes (1400m) against her own sex at Royal Randwick in April last year before finishing sixth at home against all three-year-olds to Schwarz in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m).

Widdup gave her a good break after that, pointing out she isn’t a big filly.

“She had four runs back earlier in the year and wasn’t beaten far in all of them, and has come back really well after a let-up,” he said.

“Hasty Honey was beaten less than a length first-up over 1300m at Warwick Farm three weeks ago when she was on inferior ground near the inside.

“She had done well since that race and I expected her to run well today.”

Widdup’s stable star Jedibeel is back home after a well-earned spell in Queensland, whilst Diamond Show, who has won two of her last three starts, has gone for a break.

. Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees followed up his victory with the promising Flame Of Hestia at Wyong yesterday by scoring with Wollzeile at the Kensington track today.

Wollzeile ($5.50), ridden by stable apprentice Ben Osmond, surged home to easily take the 2YO Handicap (1100m) against her own sex.

Having only her fifth start, the Tassort filly clinched her second success and Lees’ 123rd winner of the season.

Story John Curtis, June 25, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos