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.
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