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Widdison searching for an early Christmas present at Wagga
The high-flying Craig Widdison stable will search for an early Christmas present at Tuesday's Murrumbidgee Turf Club Christmas Eve meeting.
Contesting two features and the Super Maiden, the Wodonga stable will send three runners around, including Duped By Spin in the Ted Ryder Cup (1675m).
Brendan Ward takes the ride on the five-year-old, who is second-up in the $40,000 feature event.
A five-time winner, the Duporth mare finished fifth when first-up in the Stan Sadleir Stakes (1400m) at Wagga in early November.
Gate nine is an awkward draw for the $11 chance against some experienced rivals, but the Kooringal Stud-bred mare is capable in this class and with Brendan Ward in the saddle.
Bookmakers believe stablemate Oh No Mikki ($7 into $5.50) is Widdison’s best chance on the day when taking on the Crighton Cup (1200m).
Also a five-time winner, the six-year-old is a talented sprinter who has been thereabouts in recent starts.
First up at Gundagai last month, the Mikki Isle gelding took on the $50,000 Tuckerbox when flashing late to finish fifth, beaten less than three lengths by Extravagant Lad.
On that effort, Oh No Mikki is right in this race. Brendan Ward will navigate the wide draw (gate 9), which is the only concern.
Widdison also starts Ilikesooboogie in the $50,000 Super Maiden Handicap (1200m).
Nick Souquet takes the ride on the six-year-old Sooboog gelding in what is a challenging maiden event.
An ever-consistent type, Ilikesooboogie (another Kooringal Stud graduate) finished third earlier this month at Albury, flashing strongly in the 900m event.
The extra ground won’t be an issue, but again, we’ve drawn awkwardly with gate 10.
Words: Jeff Hanson
Image: Trackpix Photography
