MARCH 10, 2024: A first ever Brad Widdup foursome yesterday made it a a memorable day for Hawkesbury’s leading trainer.

Brad’s bag of winners included a treble at his home track, capped by Short Shorts’ brilliant victory in the Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier (1400m), and a Group 3 success with well-backed Tintookie at Royal Randwick.

“It was a great day for sure; they don’t come along very often,” Brad said today.

“And when these days do come along, they reflect great credit on our staff, who work hard and do such a terrific job.

“Piplup and Audrey’s Lane were both good winning at home, and Short Shorts was fantastic in making the Provincial-Midway Championships Final for a second year running.

“Tintookie put the icing on the cake by winning the last at Randwick, and adding an important Group victory to her resume.

“And our apprentice Zac Wadick rode a double at Hawkesbury (on Long Genes and Piplup) to make the day even better.”

Short Shorts ($3.80), raced by Brad’s wife Milissa and New Zealander Mark Fraser-Campin, was too good for Convincebility ($8.50) and C’mon Mate ($20), again showing her liking for being both fresh and a good track.

“She doesn’t like heavy ground because her wheels spin,” Brad said.

“Alysha Collett rides her really well.”

Short Shorts had to work before taking up the running, and thereafter never let her rivals get a look-in, ensuring a spot in the $1m Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 13.

She easily won a Kembla Grange Qualifier last year before finishing fifth to Spangler on a heavy track in the Final.

“It’s another five weeks to go this year’s Final, and I’m inclined to start her again in the interim,” Brad said.

“I’ll have a good look at the programs over the next few weeks and try to find a suitable race.”

Brad was equally pleased to get a stakes breakthrough with Tintookie in the Wenona Girl Quality (1200m); the second time he has won the mares’ race.

He was successful in 2021 with seven-times winner Vulpine (Robbie Dolan), who led throughout at $14.

As much as $34 was offered about Tintookie, who started $4.40 favorite and backed up after a luckless run a week earlier at the same track when a close fifth to Tashi in a Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m).

“There was no reason not to back her up,” Brad said. “She dropped 2.5kg and Kerrin (McEvoy) gave her a great ride.

“Tintookie has been a wonderful mare for our stable and her owners. She cost only $30,000 as a yearling and has now won five races and picked up nearly $500,000.

“I’m not quite sure where we go with her next.”

Piplup, a three-year-old filly by Inference, came from well back to outstay her rivals in the HRC Motel Maiden Plate (2000m).

Wadick’s 2.5kg claim proved invaluable as she just edged out favorite Fakhra ($2.70), who carried 4kg more.

A $70,000 yearling buy, Piplup was having only her fourth start and first at 2000m.

Blueblood three-year-old Audrey’s Lane (Alysha Collett) made it two wins from as many starts when she landed the Class 1 Handicap (1300m).

The $3.50 joint favorite showed her class when she lifted strongly in the closing stages to defeat Abuse Of Power ($17), following up from her Goulburn debut success over 1300m on February 15, overcoming wide draws on both occasions.

Brad boosted his number of winners so far this season to 38, and a career 334.