Trainer Brad Widdup has stakes goals for Jedibeel following his impressive win at Rosehill

Trainer Brad Widdup believes Jedibeel is now starting to find his way as a racehorse and with look at some feature races later in the year after the gelding’s brilliant win at Rosehill.

Jedibeel and Tyler Schiller charge home to an impressive win at Rosehill on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

Jedibeel was bred to be a stayer but he’s developing into one of Sydney’s most consistent and promising sprinters.

The underrated Jedibeel enhanced his growing reputation with a runaway win in the Schweppes Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Trainer Brad Widdup admitted Jedibeel was purchased as a potential middle distance horse as he is a son of New Zealand’s champion sire, Savabeel, a noted staying influence.

But Savabeel can also sire outstanding sprinters like multiple Group 1 winner I Wish I Win, earner of nearly $12 million prizemoney and early favourite for the $20 million The TAB Everest in sprint.

Jedibeel is not in that elite league of sprinter but he is demonstrating stakes-grade potential after improving his already impressive record to six wins and six placings from 14 starts with a career-best effort.

Jedibeel makes it three wins this preparation in impressive fashion, as @G1TySchil and @BWiddupRacing combine to take Race 6 at Rosehill. pic.twitter.com/1zev6qnob5

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 20, 2024

“I bought him to run 2000m,” Widdup said.

“But after his first prep I said to Mike (Gregg, owner) I don’t think this horse will run 1200m.

“We did a genetic test on him and he came back as a sprinter. So, that made us focus on sprinting with the horse and it has helped a lot.”

Jedibeel ($3.40), ridden by Tyler Schiller, raced away to beat Contemporary ($4.80) by 2¼ lengths with Iowna Merc ($12) a half-length away third.

The winning run of three-year-old In Flight ($2.40 favourite) came to an end when she faded in the run home to finish fourth, beaten about three lengths.

Widdup purchased Jedibeel for $190,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale three years ago and the gelding has now earned nearly $360,000 with the promise of more to come.

“I think he is just starting to find his feet as a horse,” Widdup said.

“We gelded him this time in and he has been faultless. It was great to see him win today, he was dominant.

“He still does a lot wrong, he got into a skirmish at the top of the straight and wanted to lay in a bit but he is starting to put them away now.

“Mike Gregg is a big supporter of mine so it’s great to get a win like this for him.”

Widdup said he is likely to give Jedibeel a spell now and look for better class races for the sprinter later in the year.

“I will probably give him a break,” Widdup said.

“In December there is the Razor Sharp or something like that which could suit him. I haven’t ruled out 1200m. If he goes up in grade with a genuine speed it will help him.

“He is starting to get there and I would like to try him at 1200m again. He is going to be pretty fair horse.”

Originally published as Trainer Brad Widdup has stakes goals for Jedibeel following his impressive win at Rosehill