Trainer Brad Widdup hoping inside draw holds key to Phearson in The Hunter

A better barrier could see the Brad Widdup-trained Phearson end a frustrating spring campaign in The Hunter on Saturday.

Phearson will hunt the biggest win of his career in The Hunter. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Phearson could help trainer Brad Widdup forget a frustrating spring campaign in an instant when his gelding chases a new career peak in Saturday’s Group 2 $1m The Hunter (1300m) at Newcastle.

A two-time Group 3 winner before this spring, Phearson has only placed in one of his five starts in a preparation that’s been hampered by wide draws.

On Wednesday, Widdup’s dreams of a better barrier were realised when Phearson drew the inside in the final field of 15 for The Hunter.

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Leading contenders Briasa, Far Too Easy, Coal Crusher and Private Eye will all jump from double-digit barriers in the same race, which headlines the first of two standalone weekends in NSW.

Phearson will benefit from a drop in grade in The Hunter after racing against the likes of The Everest winner Bella Nipotina and Champions Sprint victor Sunshine In Paris last start in the Russell Balding Stakes.

Trainer Brad Widdup is hoping Phearson can capitalise on an inside draw. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Widdup’s sprinter finished a touch over six lengths off Bella Nipotina in the Rosehill Gardens sprint but his trainer thought there was plenty of merit to the performance.

“I thought it was a great run last start,” Widdup said.

“He was caught wide but didn’t finish that far off them.

“Ideally it wasn’t the right race for him but you can’t have your own way all the time. I thought he did a terrific job.

“Wide gates haven’t helped him this preparation and he is a difficult horse to ride, particularly from wide gates but I think he’s going well.”

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Phearson finished third in a Benchmark 94 over 1300m at the same Newcastle meeting last year but will get his chance to snare a third stakes success in 12 months this time around.

He is a $12 chance to win Newcastle’s richest race with the Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes-trained Briasa shortening from $5 into $3.80 favouritism.

Tom Sherry has been booked to partner Phearson.

Briasa has won five of his six starts. Picture: Bradley Photos

Widdup tasted success last weekend with Confess Our Dreams and has been pleased with the way the mare has come through the 1100m assignment.

He believes she could also be a stakes mare with the Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) among the options to her next start.

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The mare could also run in a Benchmark 78 over 1100m on the same card at Rosehill Gardens on November 30.

“Either I would stop now or keep her for that day,” Widdup said.

“Tintookie was in the same mould as her and this filly is probably better performed at the same time with nine starts and five wins with a couple of placings.

“She hasn’t done much wrong really this filly.”

Widdup is set to have a quiet day on Saturday with High Dandy set to be his only other runner in the NZB Lauren Parker Legend Mile Benchmark 78 (1600m).

Originally published as Trainer Brad Widdup hoping inside draw holds key to Phearson in The Hunter