HAWKESBURY’S leading trainer Brad Widdup missed seeing his $31 roughie Lady Tavista break through at Newcastle yesterday, but took great pleasure from the result nonetheless.

The lightly-raced Tavistock filly, a $150,000 purchase at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, came from last to overpower her rivals in the Maiden Handicap (1200m).

Having only her third start, and first from a spell, Lady Tavista’s surging finish indicated there may be better things to come.

Widdup, who clinched his 20th victory of the season, was inspecting yearlings at Inglis’ Riverside complex on the eve of the Classic Yearling Sale, and didn’t get a chance to watch the race on television.

He later got a glowing report from successful rider Travis Wolfgram about the three-year-old’s performance.

“Travis said Lady Tavista settled well and was strong through the line,” Widdup said.

“I was especially pleased to get a break through win with the filly for Reggie and Beau Blundell and fellow owners.

“They are great supporters of the stable, and have been very patient with her.

“Lady Tavista hasn’t been the easiest horse to train as she was doing a few things wrong.

“She ran a nice at her first start when placed at Hawkesbury last September, but then over-raced at her next start at Kembla Grange.

“We gave her a break, and she is a more tractable filly this time in work.

“The sting out of the ground at Newcastle probably helped her, but it was an encouraging performance all the same and hopefully she can go on with it now as her distances increase.”

Heavily-backed second favorite Pioneer was a late scratching at the barrier, but may have been hard pressed to beat the Hawkesbury filly, such was her dominance over the closing stages.

Lady Tavista, a clear last on the home turn, drew clear to beat Kibibi ($16) and Caudan ($13).

Her dam, the Fastnet Rock mare Rockadubai, raced only once, finishing third in a Listed 1100m race at Pukekohe in 2008.

. HOOFNOTE: Reggie and Beau Blundell run Paringa Stud at Gresford, where the former top sprinter Terravista resides in retirement.