SUNDAY: June 26, 2022: IT’S a combination which is proving almost unbeatable!
Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup’s last six winners have all been ridden by the same jockey – Jean Van Overmeire.
And there could be more to come later this week.
Van Overmeire has started a suspension, incurred one of Brad’s winners Sepoy Star at Kembla Grange yesterday week (for excessive whip use), and will be back in time for Saturday’s meeting at Newcastle.
“I’ve got five rides for him, so hopefully we can keep the good run going,” Brad said today.
“Jean comes out to Hawkesbury once a week to ride work for me, and is getting the rewards.
“It’s working well.”
Following earlier victories for Brad on The Himalayas at Hawkesbury on June 12, a double at Goulburn on Ausbred Bluebird and Flashy Gift on June 17, and another double the following day on Sepoy Star and Zouson Boy at Kembla, Van Overmeire extended the winning run to six on Ausbred Bluebird at Newcastle yesterday.
A $1.40 hotpot, Ausbred Bluebird made it two in a row when she defeated main rival Overthink ($3.70), who made the running, and Every Effort ($26) in the Class 1/Maiden Plate (2340m).
The Teofilo filly cost the Lawlor family, who continue to be great supporters of Hawkesbury trainers, $110,000 at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale.
Ausbred Bluebird is the fourth foal of Fromelles, a Savabeel mare whose six wins in New Zealand included the 2012 Rotorua Cup (2200m).
The three-year-old was having only her seventh start yesterday – and her fifth this preparation.
“I will probably give her a break now,” Brad said.
“She has done a really good job, and I’m sure will continue to improve in her four-year-old season.”
Ausbred Bluebird was her trainer’s 55th winner of the current season, and a career 229th. In a breakout season, not only has he trained more winners than in any other racing year, but his horses have earned just over a record $4.6m.