In-form Satono Jasmine set for Randwick challenge
Brad Widdup, recently crowned with back-to-back trainers' premierships at Hawkesbury, is presenting his flying mare Satono Jasmine for a potential fourth consecutive victory at Randwick.
The talented filly is making the leap to Saturday metropolitan company for the B & K Group Australia Handicap, a 1800-metre event, following a string of three wins in provincial and midweek fixtures. Widdup confessed his surprise at her ability to reach this level so early in her second campaign.
"If you'd asked me if I'd thought she'd get to Saturday grade this time around, I would have said, 'no'," Widdup revealed. "She has done a really good job."
He elaborated, "I was half thinking about putting her in the paddock after last start, but it's a fillies and mares race over 1800 on a Saturday worth $160,000. You've got to have a crack. She's in really good order, so fingers crossed she can run well again."
Satono Jasmine secured successive wins at Gosford and Hawkesbury, triumphing by a combined margin of over eight lengths, with both victories occurring on rain-affected tracks. However, her capability on firmer ground was demonstrated with a win on a good surface at Warwick Farm in her most recent outing.
The consistent factor across her wins has been the distance, all having been contested over a mile. Widdup is keen to see how she handles an increase in distance on Saturday before she is sent for a well-deserved break.
"I've wanted to push her out over further and she's found a fillies and mares' (benchmark) 78 on a Saturday, so we'll see what happens," the trainer commented.
The mare's current purple patch is made even more satisfying given that Brad Widdup Racing is one of two joint owners. Her connections also campaigned her half-sister, Pro Velocity, whose most significant result from 17 starts was a victory over 2100m at Newcastle's Beaumont track.
"That makes it a bit better too. We had Pro Velocity, the sister and didn't have much luck, so this one is repaying that. Fingers crossed she can keep going on with it."
As Satono Jasmine prepares for the B & K Group Australia Handicap, consider checking out the available racing betting markets.
More Racing News
Chautauqua Stakes: Persian Spirit's second chance after postponement
The postponement of Saturday's Chautauqua Stakes, initially thought to be a lost opportunity for Persian Spirit, was not necessarily viewed as such by his trainer Symon Wilde.Following a significant downpour before the 1300-metre Group 3 race, the Cable Bay gelding had been heavily backed into $2.40. However, lightning and heavy...
Sheza Alibi eyes Flemington return in Makybe Diva Stakes
Peter Moody has yet to finalise the latter part of Sheza Alibi's spring program, but he intends to stick to the original plan for his stable star's second-up run in the Makybe Diva Stakes.The four-year-old mare is scheduled to make her first start in her adopted home state since winning...
Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours returns for Makybe Diva Stakes
The reigning Melbourne Cup winner, Half Yours, is set to make its comeback in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.Trainer Tony McEvoy has confirmed that the stayer is being pointed towards another tilt at the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.Jamie Melham, the jockey who created history by...
Waller's quartet set for Rosehill clash in Run To The Rose
An impressive Randwick workout has the undefeated colt St Gotthard primed for a first-up attempt at the Run To The Rose, where he's slated to encounter three of his talented stablemates.The Group 2 winner was one of three colts from the Chris Waller stable to participate in solo exhibition gallops...
Lindermann triumphs in rescheduled Chelmsford Stakes
Lindermann has rediscovered his top form, though Fangirl may have concluded her racing career after the delayed Group 2 $300,000 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) was contested at Royal Randwick today.A severe storm, complete with heavy rain and powerful winds, swept across Randwick shortly after the running of the preceding Concorde Stakes,...
My Gladiola breaks through for Moir Stakes success
My Gladiola has finally achieved Group 1 glory, taking out the Moir Stakes at Sandown in an emotional victory.The traditional venue for the 1000m Group 1 sprint, Moonee Valley, is currently undergoing reconstruction, leading to the race's relocation to Sandown this year.The 1000-metre dash, run under weight-for-age conditions, was a...
Tempted's brilliant return secures Concorde Stakes victory
Ciaron Maher is unsure if Tempted possesses the ability to challenge the Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising in the $20 million Everest, but he is satisfied that the mare could not be in better form following her dazzling reappearance in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick.Against a formidable lineup of...
Headley Grange's determination secures Tramway Stakes victory
Trainer Joe Pride detailed the efforts of his three contenders in the prestigious Group 2 $300,000 Tramway Stakes (1400m) held at Royal Randwick on Saturday.The Tramway Stakes delivered a nail-biting finish, where Headley Grange ultimately triumphed, while his stablemate Attica surged home for third, and Private Eye could only advance...
Bangkok Hottie's Furious Stakes triumph signals bright future
David Payne appears to have another talented galloper in his stable with Randwick winner Bangkok Hottie.Despite training a small team of sixteen horses, David Payne might have discovered his next major contender in Bangkok Hottie. This filly has outperformed a quality field of her peers to claim the Furious Stakes...
Blind Raise claims McKenzie Stakes first-up
Co-trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young were anxious about the track conditions on Saturday morning.A further downpour could have jeopardised Blind Raise's start in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1300m), with a potential diversion to the Listed Michael Moroney (1400m) at Flemington the following Saturday.Despite Sandown receiving 7.2mm of rain overnight,...