John Schell
Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup is relying on quality rather than quantity to give him a good day at Gosford on Thursday.
Widdup, who continued his run of good form when Bella Khadijah won her second straight Midway at Randwick last Saturday, will have two runners in the NCIS Sydney Midway Maiden Handicap (1000m) at Gosford.
See Diamond goes around with Alysha Collett taking the ride, while Southport will contest with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.
“They are two nice horses that look to be nice chances in a race that suits them,” Widdup said.
“The only concern is the prospect of a very heavy track, but we can’t do anything about that. It’s the hand we’ve been dealt.”
See Diamond is on debut after two barrier trials that have resulted in a third at Illawarra Grange and a third at Gosford.
Southport had one start at Gosford in December and finished fifth and has since had two barrier trials in preparation for his return to racing including a win at Gosford on May 18.
“See Diamond is a son of Prague and his trials have been good,” Widdup said.
“And Southport looks to have come back in good order and he’s a son of Bivouac that has shown his share of talent.”
See Diamond and Southport will clash with the Ron Quinton prepared Unleash Harry, that ran third at Hawkesbury on debut and has won a Randwick trial leading into his return to racing.
The David Pfieffer prepared Appin Girl will also contest the event. Placed fifth on debut on the Kensington track at Randwick in January, Appin Girl is a Rosehill trial winner leading into her return to racing.
Meanwhile, two former New Zealand gallopers bear close watching at Gosford with the Bjorn Baker trained Abandonment making his Australian debut in the Elite Sand & Soil Class 1 Handicap with Aaron Bullock aboard.
The Kris Lees prepared Merini, which finished second at Wyong when having her first Australian start, will contest the Brew-B-Q @ TEG 7 Nov 2026 Super Maiden Handicap (1200m) for jockey Jason Collett.
Supplied by Racing NSW
