Widdup confident heading into the 2025 Golden Gift

After an impressive debut performance, Brad Widdup will give promising youngster Anthropoid the chance to earn his way toward the Magic Millions when he steps out in the $1 million Golden Gift at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Prague colt flashed home from the rear to finish fourth in the Kirkham Plate (1000m), suggesting the step up to 1100m will be right in his favour.

Widdup had initially intended for Anthropoid to have just one start this campaign, but the quality of that first-up run prompted connections to continue.

“I wasn’t going to push on too much further than the other day, but he didn’t get a fair crack at them really, and he was good late,” Widdup said.

“He’s a Magic Millions horse, so we’ll let Saturday tell us where we go. If he runs well, great — we freshen him and go north. If not, he has a break.”

Anthropoid is raced by Mulberry Racing, the same group behind Flemington-bound sprinter Jedibeel, who contests the Champions Sprint on Saturday. Widdup also saddles Sunset Park in the Matriarch Stakes.

Anthropoid’s pedigree received a recent boost when his half-sister Stagnum won impressively in town for the Hawkes stable.

“He’s always been straightforward and very sensible. He’ll improve with maturity but he’s ticking along nicely,” Widdup said.

Tyler Schiller will guide the colt from barrier one.

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