MONDAY: August 23, 2021: HAWKESBURY’S leading trainer Brad Widdup took advantage of today’s Group and Listed trial at home to give his talented mare Adelong another important hitout before she resumes.

The winner of eight of her 17 starts, including the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) at Randwick on June 12 at her latest run, Adelong showed her customary pace and wasn’t pushed out before being narrowly beaten by Wild Ruler (Trekking, third and fourth in the last two runnings of The Everest, was a close third) in the 900m trial run in 52.58secs (last 600m in 33.92s).

It was the only one of the 13-trial session staged on the course proper.

Adelong will begin a new preparation in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m), to be run at set weights plus penalties, at Royal Randwick on Saturday week.

This will be the first time the six-year-old mare has contested a 1000m race, but she has won seven from 12 at 1100m.

“Adelong trialled really well without being pushed out, and she is ready to go back to the races on Saturday week,” Brad said this evening.

Brad also was delighted with his Golden Eagle and Doncaster Mile runner-up Icebath’s return third in last Saturday’s Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) at Randwick.

“She raced wide, and gave the winner (Private Eye) and runner-up (Embracer) 3.5kg and 4kg respectively, and yet was beaten only just over a length,” he said.

“Icebath is a stronger mare this time, and has pulled up really well.

“We have the option of going next to either the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) against her own sex or Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m), scheduled to be run at Rosehill on September 11.

“Now that she has had one run back at 1200m, the 1300m of the Theo Marks is probably the better option.”

Stablemate Mr Bond, who ran well when third at his city debut in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (2400m) at Randwick last Saturday, will have one more start before going for a well-earned break.

“A lack of pace didn’t suit him, but he’s very genuine,” Brad said. “There’s another 2400m Benchmark 78 on September 11, and that will do him for this campaign.

“He has done a terrific job for us since arriving from New Zealand.”