Hawkesbury’s leading trainer Brad Widdup clinched a two-track double at the weekend with three-year-old flllies who were at contrasting ends of the purchase scale.

Saturday surprise Rosehill Gardens winner Art’s Alive ($51) fetched $350,000 at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale, whilst Newcastle winner Calyx Rose ($5) cost only $4500 at the Inglis HTBA sale the following month.

Brad’s double took his career tally to 395 as he bears down on a milestone 400, but wasn’t confident beforehand both horses could win.

“If you had told me on race morning I would get a double, I wouldn’t have believed it,” he said.  

“But both fillies have been racing well, and it was great to see them perform as they did.”

Art’s Alive, ridden by Jay Ford, after being held up for clear running for some distance in the straight, got out late to defeat Stagnum ($14) and $2.80 favorite Polyglot in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill. 

“She did really well in the circumstances, and I have to give credit to Tyler Schiller and BK Racing & Breeding’s racing manager Ben Vassallo,” Brad said.

“Tyler rode her last time when fourth on the Kensington track, and said she could win a Saturday race.

“We also had Art’s Alive in at Canterbury the previous night, and Ben felt we should have a crack at the Saturday race.”

Brad has done a splendid job with Art’s Alive, who won the first $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus in a Super Maiden at Coffs Harbour in early August last year.

“Whilst she jumped and wanted to run earlier in her career, we have been able to settle her and she now likes to settle just off the pace,” Brad explained. 

“She is a daughter of Snitzel, and a pretty tough filly.”

Brad was just as pleased to see Calyx Rose (Ronan Whelan) make it two in a row, in the Class 1 Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle.

“She came off breaking through in a Super Maiden (1350m) at Cowra on January 19, and whilst there were three other last start winners in the Newcastle race, they were also country winners,” he said.

“Her first two runs at the provincials were over 1200m and 1100m, and once we stepped her up in distance at Cowra and then again yesterday, she showed her ability.”

. Brad added another victory to his season’s tally when Devil Rider broke through at Muswellbrook on Monday.

Ridden by Mitchell Bell, Devil Rider ($5.50) gamely took the Maiden Handicap (1500m) at only his fourth start, and second this preparation.

A three-year-old son of Victoria Derby winner Ace High, the gelding was bred by his owner John Cordina, who races his horses under his Summertime Thoroughbreds banner.

“Devil Rider is by no means the finished product, and hopefully that win today will give him confidence,” Brad said.

“He did a good job under his 59kg topweight and, going from a city Maiden first-up at Canterbury last month over 1250m, I would have been disappointed if he hadn’t run well going to a country Maiden over further ground.”