Weight allocation to pick Jedibeel's jockey in The Galaxy
Trainer Brad Widdup keeps two potential jockeys waiting to team up with Jedibeel for Saturday's Group 1 The Galaxy, hinging on the sprinter's handicap weight.
Handicaps for Rosehill's 1100-metre showcase will drop Tuesday, allowing Widdup to select the rider once Jedibeel's burden is set.
"Depending on the weight, we've got Tommy (Berry) booked, or Alysha (Collett), so we've got two bites at the cherry there with jockeys," Widdup said.
"Hopefully he can draw a gate, and we'll go from there."
A total of 25 horses including Jedibeel have entered the $1 million The Galaxy, with threats such as prominent grey Briasa, Generosity from the Challenge Stakes, Beadman and Grafterburners in contention.
Jedibeel contests The Galaxy second-up following fourth from a tough draw in Caulfield's Oakleigh Plate (1100m) back on February 21.
Although entered for the Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill this weekend, Widdup held off to target the big one.
"I 'ummed and ahhed' about running (in the Maurice McCarten), but I thought, we're going to get into the Galaxy with an OK weight," he said.
"I had a good think about it, and we don't have to run him all the time. We just have to pick the right races."
In last year's The Galaxy, Jedibeel ended ninth to Private Harry after a wide start and trailing in a front-runners' battle.
Since then his standout was a dead-heat second behind Libertad in Eagle Farm's Victory Stakes (1200m) during May, complemented by eight career wins and solid performances at Rosehill over 1100 metres.
Widdup notched a Rosehill success Saturday via Audrey's Lane's win in the Midway Handicap (1200m), securing qualification potential for Randwick's Provincial-Midway Championships in April via the March 28 Wyong event.
He mulled over the Gosford qualifier on March 14 for the Mossfun half-sister, 2014 Golden Slipper winner, opting for Rosehill on debut.
"We'll look at Wyong," Widdup said.
"I had her in at Gosford, I just didn't think it was the right track, but the way she went (at Rosehill), it might have been.
"But we'll take this. She is a well-bred mare and it's great to see her win."
Explore online bookmakers for top betting markets for the race in The Galaxy.
More Racing News
Bendigo Golden Mile sees Von Hauke's second bid under Brown
Cliff Brown, the trainer based in Mornington, is recognised for his patient approach, particularly evident in his handling of Von Hauke.Prior to shifting to Singapore for close to 15 years of operations, Brown achieved notable wins throughout Australia.Back in Australia, he has enjoyed a reliable sequence of successes, including a...
Hawkesbury Gold Cup looms as vital test for returning Sea King
Trainer Matthew Dunn did not originally target the Hawkesbury Gold Cup for Sea King, but he sees it playing a crucial role in the gelding's rehabilitation from tendon trouble.After claiming the 2024 Bendigo Cup, Sea King struggled post a mid-pack finish in his initial run for Dunn in the Christmas...
Pfieffer aiming for stakes repeat with Oh Diamond Lil at Hawkesbury
David Pfieffer is following the successful blueprint from Oh Diamond Lil's spring campaign in his effort to land the attractive mare a further stakes victory in the Hawkesbury Crown.The five-year-old dictated terms wire-to-wire to take the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle on debut back in September, with Pfieffer...
In-form filly Rohesia eyes Adelaide Guineas
Will Hayes is confident that several positive developments have converged to help progressive filly Rohesia rediscover the winning thread.This daughter of Hanseatic has triumphed in her two most recent 1400m assignments, the most recent in stakes grade, leading the team to base her in Adelaide for Saturday's Listed Adelaide Guineas...
Jabez Johnstone from Tasmania grabs mainland success with Ciaron Maher
Jabez Johnstone, apprentice from Tasmania, has enhanced his prospects for a future shift to Melbourne with a winning ride for trainer Ciaron Maher.The young rider steered Maher's Cardi Bee to the top in the IVE> Handicap (1500m) held at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday as part of a brief incursion.Johnstone jetted...
Another Cashie set for improved Queensland Guineas run according to Dunn
Matt Dunn, the trainer, is overlooking the most recent run of Another Cashie, expecting the three-year-old to recover and put on a spirited display in the Group Two Queensland Guineas regardless of his big odds.After a strong return at the Gold Coast on April 4, Another Cashie trailed the field...
Kembla Grange incident leaves Schiller needing medical okay for upcoming rides
Following a tumble at Kembla Grange on race day, Tyler Schiller faces the requirement of medical clearance to complete his commitments at Wagga and Hawkesbury over the coming days.In Wednesday's second race, Schiller was on board Hawkes Racing's Winters Kiss, the mare holding a forward position and appearing likely to...
Matias and Jedibeel sidelined by injuries through end of Sydney season
Talented three-year-old Matias is sidelined from the Queensland Derby owing to a leg problem, as elite sprinter Jedibeel needs throat surgery and faces a delayed comeback later in the year.The duo of capable runners will mark significant absences at minimum through the season's close, having displayed flashes of elite-race promise...
Maher team pivots Twilight Elegance to Morphettville stakes
Seeking significant Black Type credentials, Ciaron Maher's team has decided to send Twilight Elegance to Adelaide.This Saturday's Listed Port Adelaide Cup (2518m) at Morphettville gives the mare a shot at Black Type, which would notably elevate her broodmare potential.She had been entered for Flemington last Saturday, yet after checking the...
Hawkesbury Gold Cup looms as Waterford's next mission
Experienced racer Waterford often notches wins through his preparations, with Chris Waller keeping the Hawkesbury Gold Cup firmly in mind as a primary goal for a while now.Since his last triumph in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill during September, the seven-year-old has been off the track following...