ROVINCIAL-MIDWAY C’SHIPS ON AGENDA FOR VICTORIAN CAST-OFF
THURSDAY: February 27, 2025: FORMER Victorian Money Team’s rapid improvement is such that he could be given a crack at an autumn feature.
Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup says he is “seriously thinking” about the Provincial-Midway Championships for the well bred four-year-old, who is unbeaten since joining his team.
The son of I Am Invincible at Wyong today made it three wins from as many starts for his new connections after being purchased online for $55,000 by managing part-owner Adrian Britt in May last year.
A $3 favorite, Brad’s apprentice Zac Wadick rode him like he was the best horse in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) – and he was.
Wadick had Money Team away smartly, eased to trail Jo Jo Sun ($21), then took control on straightening and scooted away to score by a tad over three lengths, breaking 1.10 for the distance, clocking 1:.09.82 (last 600m in 33.63secs).
Last start Kembla Grange winner Enter The Dragon ($4.40) was second, with The New Sinatra ($6) third.
Money Team fetched $1m when offered at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale, but didn’t win in five starts for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, though he was placed in four of them (one at Gosford and three in Victoria).
“Full marks to Adrian for spotting him and being able to buy him,” Brad said this evening.
“We decided to geld him and I’m sure it has been the makings of him.
“I also took blinkers off and put a cross-over nose band on before he raced for us.
“That’s twice now he has handled 1200m, and he might manage 1400m as well.
“Money Team is going so well I have to think seriously about the Provincial-Midway Championships.
“I would really like to try him at 1400m.”
Brad claimed his 10th winner in February and 46th for the season, but knows it will be harder to repeat that in March with the autumn carnival bearing down.
“I’m very happy with how the stable is going,” he said. “It’s been an excellent month for us.”
Whilst Brad doesn’t have a representative in Saturday’s second PMC Qualifier (1400m) at Newcastle, he has You’re The Choice and Ausbred Flirt lining up at Royal Randwick the same day.
Dual venue acceptor You’re The Choice will bypass a Canterbury engagement tomorrow night to tackle the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) against her own sex, and Ausbred Flirt resumes in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m).
Alysha Collett partners Farnan filly You’re The Choice, who was narrowly beaten on debut at Newcastle on February 15, whilst Tyler Schiller rides Ausbred Flirt.
“You’re The Choice has drawn well enough at Randwick, and we may as well give her the chance to earn some black type against her own sex,” Brad said.
“I would dearly love to win the Guy Walter. I couldn’t do it with Icebath (Group 1 winner), who ran third in 2021 and fourth in 2022.”
Meanwhile, Brad’s promising youngster Nashville Jack, who debuted when fourth in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday, will go next to either Canberra or back to Rosehill.
He has the option of the $200,000 Group 3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra on March 9, and $250,000 Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill six days later.