New stable addition could prove a Beauty

The racing career of Black On Beauty will come full circle when she returns to Sydney for the first time in two-and-a half years.

The daughter of Zoustar did her early racing for John O’Shea but has spent the bulk of the past two seasons with Tony Gollan in Queensland where she has won four races and been competitive in Listed grade, including when finishing a close fourth in the Nudgee Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm in December.

Transferred to Brad Widdup after a recent fifth to In Flight in the Bright Shadow Stakes (1110m) on a heavy track at Doomben in May, she is set to make her debut for her latest stable in Saturday’s ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1100m) at Randwick.

“(Owners) B K Racing have always had her and she is a lovely mare,” Widdup said.

“They just wanted to give her a crack down here before they made a decision about her future.”

Rising seven, Black On Beauty would underline her residual value with a Saturday grade win in Sydney and Widdup has been pleased with how she has shaped up so far.

While he admits it can be difficult to properly assess new horses to the stables, Black On Beauty is showing all the right signs and trialled nicely at Hawkesbury earlier this month.

Widdup’s one reservation is a wide draw and he will speak with B K Racing’s manager Ben Vassallo before making a final determination on whether she takes her place at Randwick.

“It is always hard getting them mid-preparation like we have, but she seems to be going well,” Widdup said.

“She has drawn a little bit awkwardly and I haven’t properly spoken to Benny (Vassallo) about what he wants to do, but at this stage she is running.

“She has trialled up well and she looks to have good ability.”

The Hawkesbury-based Widdup has already had reason to celebrate this week with a double at his home track last Sunday clinching him his first local trainers’ title.