Newcastle preview: Progressive gelding Devil Rider can add another win to trainer Brad Widdup’s successful month

With six winners from 13 runners this month, trainer Brad Widdup can add to his tally with three strong chances at Newcastle.

Devil Rider is looking to make it back-to-back wins when he heads to Newcastle. Picture: Bradley Photos

Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup is enjoying nice run of success this month he hopes can continue when he sends a trio runners to the Hunter.

Widdup’s first three runners in February were winners including Devil Rider at Muswellbrook who leads his charge this weekend.

He has also prepared winners with his last two runners with Money Team at Hawkesbury on Wednesday and Nyota at Wyong on Thursday.

“Sometimes you get a bit of luck go your way and we’re having a good run at the moment,” said Widdup.

Devil Rider leads his charge this weekend when he steps out in the Class 1 Handicap (1600m) with Irish-born Group 1-winning jockey, Ronan Whelan, aboard.

Trainer Brad Widdup can add to his hot recent record with three good chances at Newcastle. Picture: Grant Guy

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“He is still learning his craft. I had him in the Benchmark 64 over 1880m as well but I decided to keep him in his grade in the Class 1 over the mile,” he said.

The son of Ace High was always going to find the 1250m too short when he resumed at Canterbury with a seventh behind Gatekeeper.

Dropping back to country grade at Muswellbrook, he jumped well to sit outside the leader before running home to well to score by a length from Search Warrant who franked the form with a win at Wyong on Thursday.

“I was happy enough with his run first-up. Obviously, it was too short for him and not the right sort of race but we had to kick him off somewhere,” Widdup said.

“He bounced off that and it was good to see him step up to 1500m the other day and run well to win.

“I think he is slowly improving and will improve further once we get him out to 2000m but I just want to give him a good grounding before I start stepping him out over further.”

Akaka Falls has been good to Widdup since joining his stable just over to years ago, winning four races to go with his two wins for his previous trainer.

The last of those wins came in the Cup Day Sprint at Orange last April but big weights have made it difficult to break through since although he has had a couple of close placings this campaign.

Akaka Falls is too good for them first-up at Canberra! 👏@[e-mail]/2t2Vr9Uvho

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 3, 2023

“This will be his swan song for around here. We will probably send him up to Queensland after this run,” Widdup said.

“There’s not many higher handicaps for provincial grade horses.

“He has been a very consistent horse but he has been a bit unlucky too.

“He is a one-dimensional horse but he seems to like the 900m at Newcastle.

“I’ve put the blinkers back on him and he’s in really good order. Hopefully can go up there and perform.”

Kicking off the day for Widdup is You’re The Choice who makes her race debut in the Bonvilla Estate 2YO Maiden Handicap (900m).

The daughter of Golden Slipper winner Farnan has shown her trainer she has nice ability and was closed nicely to finish a half-length second Rosie Rouge at Rosehill on February 3.

“She is a nice filly. She is doing a really nice job in her trials and I’m looking forward to getting her to the races and seeing what she can do, he said.

“When we bought her, she wasn’t very big but she has tuned that way now. She is a big, strong filly.

“She will only improve from the run but I’m sure she will be competitive. I’d hate to think she won’t.”