Hawkesbury duo Brad Widdup and Edward Cummings dominated the $150k Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifer, with Widdup’s favourite Ausbred Flirt too strong for her opposition & Strait Acer, from the Cummings stable storming home to finish second.
Both now progress to the $1m April 13 final at Randwick, Ausbred Flirt joining stablemates Short Shorts and Ruby Flyer in the field.
Widdup’s plan had been to run Ausbred Flirt in the Kembla Qualifier on March 23 but he opted to scratch due to the heavy track.
The move proved to be a winner, with the Maurice mare primed for a great second up run, four weeks after resuming from a spell in the Group 2 Guy Walter at Randwick on March 2.
She missed the start in her first-up run but it was a different story at Wyong where everything fell into place courtesy of a great ride by Alysha Collett.
“It was a bit unfortunate that she missed the kick at Randwick but she still ran super in that first-up run,” stable representative Rosie Jilla said. “It’s been a waiting game to get her back to the races and she’s obviously performed well today.”
Cummings was equally impressed with runner-up Strait Acer.
“I wanted to go back to basics today we were lucky enough to get into the final. He really savaged the line and it’s great to have him back in form.
“I’m looking forward to two weeks’ time. He’ll be better suited to a big track.”
In earlier races Damien Lane’s Jameka Money scored a home track win in the 3YO Maiden Plate over 1000m.
Raced by Lane’s wife Kate, the Press Statement filly was having just her third career start and was second up from a spell.
She showed a great turn of foot when Grant Buckley took her to the outside in the straight, steaming home to claim a narrow victory.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott took out the training honours with a double, apprentice Amy McLucas combining with the partnership to win on Killcare Beachgirl and Star Blazer.
Another apprentice kicked off the program with a win, the in-form Zac Wadick taking out the 1600m Midway Maiden for Hawkesbury trainer Edward Cummings with Hippy Dreams.
The $1.90 favourite dominating the field in only his third race start.
It was another provincial trainer, Newcastle based Nathan Doyle who took out the 1350m Provincial Class 1, with Gago. The Australian Bloodstock four-year-old was having just his second start for the stable and came from the rear of the field to snatch victory on the line, with Ashley Morgan in the saddle.
The Zoustar gelding, a $65k purchase, was coming off a last start fourth at Newcastle and sent out $4.40 second favourite.
Randwick trainers John Sargent and Michael Freedman weren’t to be denied, both training winners.
Sargent’s Coto De Caza outstayed his rivals in the Class 1 & Maiden, to bring up his debut win at start seven, with Keagan Latham at the reins.
While Michael Freedman’s consistent Snitzel mare Resistible took out the 1200m Conditional BM68, ridden by Rory Hutchings.
The four-year-old has had three wins and five minor placings from her 15 starts.
