MELBOURNE’S three-year-old blue ribands are in Brad Widdup’s sights.
The leading Hawkesbury trainer has confirmed plans to run his Fastnet Rock colt Tenbury Wells in the $2m Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 2, and hopes to also start his Microphone filly Noises in the $1m VRC Oaks (2500m) there five days later.
Widdup on Monday reported Tenbury Wells pulled up in good order after his fifth to El Castello in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday at his first test in higher grade this preparation.
“He did plenty of work and in the circumstances I thought he ran well,” he said.
“We’re keen to give him his chance in the Derby, but haven’t yet confirmed a rider.”
Tenbury Wells had been impressive in winning twice at Kembla Grange over 1600m and 2000m prior to the Gloaming.
The lightly-raced Noises, who has won two of her last three starts, is likely to go next to the $2m Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday week, tackling the “boys”.
Under the set weights conditions, fillies will carry 54.5kg; 2kg less than colts and geldings.
Three fillies (Yankee Rose in 2016, Maid Of Heaven ion 2018 and Montefilia in 2020) have won the Spring Champion in the last eight years.
“I will probably nominate Noises for Melbourne the same day, but at this stage she will go to the Spring Champion and, provided she runs up to our expectations, then head to Melbourne for the Oaks.”
Dual Group 3 winner Phearson will kick off Widdup’s Melbourne spring campaign at Caulfield on Saturday.
He has been entered for the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m), where he has 58.5kg, and will be sent south provided he draws satisfactorily when acceptances are taken on Wednesday.
Widdup withdrew Phearson from last Saturday’s $1.5m Alan Brown Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens when he drew off the track.
Stablemates Ausbred Flirt and High Dandy will contest races at Saturday’s The Everest meeting at Randwick.
Ausbred Flirt tackles the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) against her own sex, and Dubbo Cup runner-up High Dandy lines up in the Big Dance Wild Card (1600m).
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Meanwhile, Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker has nominated his smart four-year-old Well Timed for both the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m) and $1m Group 3 Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Whilst he isn’t sure yet the in-form gelding will get a start in either race, he has another option up his sleeve.
“I’ll be talking with the handicapper closer to acceptance time to see how we are placed in both races,” Parker said.
“If he doesn’t get a run on Saturday, I will trial him at Rosehill Gardens on Friday.”
Parker gave Well Timed a break away from the stable after his latest victory in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on September 21 when he defeated Sunday’s Coonamble Cup winner Sharp Shock.
Story John Curtis, October 14, 2024
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