Wyong preview: Trainer Brad Widdup is hoping Colours Of Autumn can shine bright in the Provincial-Midway Wildcard

Trainer Brad Widdup is a big fan of the Provincial-Midway Championship series and is hoping Colours Of Autumn can join Money Team in the Final via Wyong’s Wildcard.

A top three finish by Colours Of Autumn in the Wildcard will qualify her for the Provincial-Midway Championship Final. Picture: Bradley Photos

Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup already has one runner locked away in next month’s Provincial-Midway Championship Final and this weekend, he has the opportunity to secure a second.

Widdup prepared Money Team to win the Gosford Qualifier on March 15 and he hopes Colours Of Autumn can join him in the $1 million Final on April 12 with a top three finish in the Wildcard (1350m).

“I try to support these races with as many runners as I can because it’s a pretty good series with a big money final,” said Widdup.

“Hopefully we can get her qualified too.”

Colours Of Autumn has the perfect ride and leaves the field behind to win the third at Newcastle for @BWiddupRacing! 💥 pic.twitter.com/qIRFXtOVDu

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 3, 2024

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Colours Of Autumn kicked off her latest campaign in the Provincial trained only Qualifier at Hawkesbury on March 8 where she finished fourth behind in-form mare Mahogany Girl and Randwick Midway winner, Well Timed.

The daughter of The Autumn Sun will need a little luck go her way at Wyong where she has drawn barrier 12.

“She has been a little bit luckless in her career,” Widdup said.

“I was happy with her first-up run here at home.

“We have kept her for this race. Her two wins have been at the trip and hopefully she can bring that to the races this weekend.

“Normally these races are run genuinely so you tend to get your chance.

“I’d love her to win but I’ll still be very happy if she can run second or third and earn herself a place in the final. Anything can happen if you are in the final.”

The John Cordina-bred and owned Party Doll has won twice in 18 starts along with seven second placings and a third.

She has finished runner-up at her past two runs at Wyong and Gosford over 1000m and deserves another win.

“She finds it hard to win but she is knocking on the door,” he said.

“She is a very honest mare though and has done nothing wrong this preparation.

The five-year-old steps up in trip this week when she lines up in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m).

Power Of The Brave leads all the way and is too good for the rest! 💥@Leesracingpic.twitter.com/VLLYhqjdGT

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 15, 2025

“Out to 1200m with no weight on her back, you would like to think she will be competitive,” Widdup said.

“There are good trainers in the race and no doubt there will be something primed and ready to win.

“She is very fit and I’d love for her to get a win on the board and get her confidence back.”

Ausbred Nunya makes her return to racing after a serious illness last spring.

“She got pneumonia after her last run back in October so we had to give her a decent break,” Widdup said.

“She was well looked after at Fairview Park Stud by Ian Duckworth who is a vet.”

The daughter of Dundeel and New Zealand Group 1 winner, Barinka, resumes in the Class 1 Handicap (1350m).

“A Provincial Class 1 over 1350m is a good starting point for her,” he said.

“I don’t know if she can win but he two trials have been okay. She has got Grant Buckley on which will help her.

“I think she will be finishing off strongly late and be better again second and third-up.”

Widdup’s other entrant for the day is Rock All Night, a half-sister to Party Doll, in the Class 1 and Maiden Plate (2100m) but he said she is a 50/50 chance of running.

“I’m not sure if she will run here. I’ve got her in at Newcastle on Tuesday as well.

“We will just look at both races and weigh up where she is best placed.

“She ran a nice third on debut and hopefully she runs to that wherever she goes next.”