Craig Widdison is chasing a big payday at Echuca&rsquo;s Good Friday meeting.
Racing the ever-consistent Majestic Reward, Teo Nugent will be in the saddle as the 3YO contests the $100,000 Country Trainers Series Final Benchmark 70 (1200m).
The Reward For Effort filly has done little wrong in three runs, commencing her career as a debut winner at Wodonga over the 1100m on January 5.
Following a solid second-up effort in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m) at Bendigo on March 2, Majestic Reward went to Geelong on April 1. It was game in defeat when on speed and just missed out when second in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1143m).
That runner-up effort at Geelong gained the Wodonga galloper a start in today&rsquo;s $100,000 final, and despite drawing awkwardly with gate 9, Majestic Reward appears to be a good each-way chance in an open event.
Widdison and the stable will have their tails up heading to Echuca following some good recent form.
Racing at Wagga Wagga on Sunday, talented 2YO Deekaygeebee was a class above his rivals when winning the 2YO Handicap (1000m).
Raced by Rick McIntosh, Greg McNulty, Brent Nally, Ross Smith, and company, they have enjoyed a terrific run of late, winning the $150,000 Capricornia Yearling Sale Classic QTIS 2YO Plate (1200m) with Kerzner for trainer Liam Birchley at Rockhampton on Saturday.
Deekaygeebee, a Russian Revolution gelding out of Dip Dye, was a $25,000 purchase at the same 2024 Capricornia Yearling Sale (21) as Kerzner, and it appears connections have another nice horse.
Ridden by Nick Souquet, the 2YO showed good early speed before kicking clear for a good win at Wagga.
The stable continued its good run at Albury on Thursday, with Explosive Rosie ridden by Brendan Ward to victory in the Benchmark 74 Handicap (1400m).
Ward rode the 5YO Smart Missile mare midfield before the pair unleashed with a winning finish.
Raced by the Tobin family, Explosive Rosie has now won five out of 18 races, earning connections just shy of $120,000 in prize money.
While Widdison will race Majestic Reward in the $100,000 Country Trainers Series Final at Echuca today, it&rsquo;s set to be a busy period for the stable.
The team will race Fleet Destination in the Benchmark 45 Handicap (1300m) at Tocumwal on Saturday before starting up to five chances at Wodonga on Tuesday. Words: Jeff Hanson Image: Bordermail&nbsp;

Craig Widdison Racing

Widdison chasing rich reward in Country Trainers Series Final

Craig Widdison

Craig Widdison will prepare for another bumper Albury carnival, with up to nine runners set to go around on Thursday and Friday.
Headlining our stable&rsquo;s chances on Thursday, Craig will have three runners in the $50,000 Albury Mile (1600m), including Secret Glamour (Nick Souquet, 63kg), Duped By Spin (Louise Day, 55kg), and Steve&rsquo;s Way (Brendan Ward, 55kg).
Duped By Spin is also entered in Friday&rsquo;s $200,000 Albury Gold Cup (2000m), where Jason Lyon (55kg) is down for the ride, so stay tuned for any updates.
In the Albury Mile, last-start Corowa Cup runner-up Steve&rsquo;s Way is the stable&rsquo;s leading chance after drawing gate 6.
The 4YO is racing well and was unlucky not to win the Corowa Cup, and the Wayed Zain mare finds a nice race at Albury.
Stablemate Secret Glamour is a chance on her best form, but 63kg is a lot of weight to carry for the awkward draw (gate 10).
On a big first day of the carnival, the stable also has recent Wagga Wagga placegetter Sister Shay (Brendan Ward, 56kg) taking on the $50,000 Super Maiden Handicap and last-start Towong winner Deloris (Louise Day, 56kg) stepping up in distance to take on the $30,000 Class 1/Maiden (2000m) event.
Rounding out the meeting is Doogan&rsquo;s Design (Brendan Ward, 55kg), which has drawn the car park (gate 17) in the $75,000 City Handicap (1175m).
On Friday, the stable will be led off by Explosive Gold (Daniel Moor, 56.5kg) in the $50,000 Maiden Showcase Plate (1175m)
A first starter by Smart Missile and out of Gold Fontein, we&rsquo;re looking forward to seeing what the 3YO filly can do first-up from gate 8.
Next up is Fourthtimelucky (Nick Souquet, 59kg), which is set to jump from gate 6 in the $30,000 Benchmark 58 (1175m).
A nice maiden winner over 1175m at Albury in October, the 3YO Prized Icon gelding resumed at Wagga Wagga earlier this month, running a decent fifth, beaten just over a length over the 1000m journey.
Majestic Reward (Brendan Ward, 55kg) is the stable&rsquo;s next chance when taking on the $30,000 Class 2 Handicap (1000m), and connections have drawn kindly with gate 4.
The Albury carnival could lead into a big few days for our Wodonga stable, with runners also entered at Berrigan and Benalla on Saturday and Goulburn on Sunday. Words: Jeff Hanson Image: Widdison Racing

Steve’s Way primed for Albury Mile

The Craig Widdison Racing team will send five runners to Wagga today (Saturday), with the stable confident of a strong showing.
The $40,000 Tom Patton Cup is the feature staying event on the eight-race Country Championships program, and Duped By Spin (Nick Souquet, 57.5kg) is the current $4.20 favourite after drawing gate 4 in the 1800m contest. &nbsp;
Two starts back, the 5YO Duporth mare was tested in town before recently finishing 4th in the 2000m Benchmark 82 Handicap at Wagga on January 26.
It was Duped By Spin&rsquo;s first test over ten furlongs, and she has since trialled at Albury on February 24 in anticipation of this event.
It&rsquo;s worth noting that Craig opted to scratch the five-time winner from another race at Wangaratta today, hoping that the Wagga event would be more suitable.
Recent Cowra Japan Cup winner Doogan&rsquo;s Design (Brendan Ward, 57kg) is back on track at Wagga when contesting the 1200m Benchmark 82 sprint.
A good event, our 5YO Master Of Design mare has drawn gate 1, and she&rsquo;s being kept safe by bookmakers, currently sitting on the third line of betting at $5. &nbsp;
Earlier on the card, Sister Shay (Brendan Ward, 56.5kg) kicks off our day at Wagga when taking on the $50,000 Super Maiden Plate (1400m).
The 3YO Shamus Award filly is first up for the stable after debuting at Kyneton earlier this month, and connections have drawn kindly with gate 4.
In the 1600m Class 1/Maiden, Deloris (Amy O&rsquo;Driscoll, 53kg) steps out over the more suitable 1600m journey, but the 4YO Prized Icon mare, who is still a maiden, does draw awkwardly with gate 11 and runs into a nice race.
Our fifth and final runner at Wagga is Fourthtimelucky (Nick Souquet, 59kg), who returns in the 1000m Benchmark 58 Handicap.
The 3YO Prized Icon gelding won his maiden impressively over 1175m at Albury on October 26 before heading to the paddock.
Following a spell, he trialled at Albury over 900m on February 11 and should be primed for a solid first-up effort at Wagga. Words: Jeff Hanson Image: Racing Photography

Widdison Racing eyes Wagga features

Craig Widdison will unleash Deekaygeebee in Friday&rsquo;s $50,000 Black Opal preview (1000m) at Canberra.
The 2YO event is a precursor to the $200,000 Black Opal on Sunday, March 9, with the winner of Friday&rsquo;s preview and runner-up guaranteed direct entry.
Deekaygeebee is a 2YO gelding by Russian Revolution out of Dip Dye (x Sepoy) who has been to the trials on four occasions.
Most recently, the Wodonga galloper, who does everything right, showcased good natural speed, and without being fully tested, finished second to Sargeant Stan over the 900m at Albury on February 11.
The Black Opal Preview will be a tough test against city and provincial trained rivals, with the likes of Gai Waterhouse, John O&rsquo;Shea, Bjorn Baker, Gerald Ryan, and Annabell Neasham set to start horses.
Adding to the challenge for our debutant is that Deekaygeebee has drawn awkwardly in gate 11, meaning Brendan Ward (56.5kg) has the job of finding him a nice spot in the running.
The Widdison Racing team will also send Ruby Dobie to Canberra on Friday, with the 3YO Denman filly (My Maher) first-up from a spell when taking on the 1000m Maiden Plate.
The youngster has only raced once, and this will be her first start for the stable.
Ruby Dobie did trial at Albury on February 11 and showcased good early speed before holding on for a comfortable win over 900m.
Brendan Ward (56.5kg) takes the ride, and connections have drawn favourably with gate 4.
Following the stable&rsquo;s trip to Canberra, Widdison Racing heads to Albury on Monday with three chances.
Sister Shay (Brendan Ward, 56kg) has drawn gate 13 in the 1400m Maiden Handicap, Lunar Mojo (John Kissick, 57kg) resumes from gate seven in the 1000m Maiden Handicap and Explosive Rosie (Nick Souquet, 57.5kg) resumes from gate four in the 1175m Benchmark 66 Handicap. Words: Jeff Hanson Image: ACM

Youngster set for Black Opal preview

Craig Widdison Racing will send two runners to Moonee Valley tonight, with Baggage Handler and Steve&rsquo;s Way set to represent the Wodonga stable under lights.
Nick Souquet jumps in the saddle, with Baggage Handler taking on the 888m Benchmark 64 Handicap and Steve&rsquo;s Way going around in the 1523m Benchmark 64 Handicap.
Baggage Handler ($5), raced by Snow Road Thoroughbreds, will carry 61kg in the jump and run sprint and has drawn perfectly with gate two.
Blessed with an abundance of natural speed and capable of running a field along at a good clip, our 4YO Squamosa gelding (x Leg Room) has won two from four, including a very impressive first-up victory in the 1000m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Albury on January 20.
The 888m event at Moonee Valley will be a big step up in class, and these races are typically frantic affairs, but Baggage Handler will be given every chance by Nick.
Steve&rsquo;s Way ($6), raced by the Baxter family, finds a nice race second-up this preparation.
A three-time winner, the 4YO Wayed Zain mare (x Steve&rsquo;s Choice) enjoyed a breakout preparation last year, landing a win in the 1400m Benchmark 64 Handicap at Wodonga on May 25 before an impressive victory in the 1600m Benchmark 66 Handicap at Corowa on July 1.
After being tested in town, where she finished a credible seventh over the 1700m at Flemington on July 20, Steve&rsquo;s Way was turned out for a well-earned spell and has returned in good order.
First up this preparation, Steve&rsquo;s Way stormed into third place when beaten a head in the 1300m Benchmark 70 Handicap at Wodonga on January 5.
Now fitter for the run, the talented mare will be second-up and ready for a big effort under lights at Moonee Valley. Followers can stay tuned for race day updates on our socials.
Words: Jeff Hanson
Image: Craig Widdison Racing

Widdison Racing prepares two-pronged attack at The Valley

Craig Widdison enjoyed two very pleasing days in NSW on Sunday and Monday, winning a feature race and watching on as two up-and-coming horses made winning returns to the track.
Racing at Cowra on Sunday, the talented Doogan&rsquo;s Design was resuming from a spell in the $32,000 Cowra Japan Cup (1200m).
It was a 700km roundtrip for the team with just one galloper, but the five-year-old Master Of Design mare was a class above her rivals in Cowra&rsquo;s feature sprint.
Ridden superbly by Brendan Ward, Doogan&rsquo;s Design ($8.50) was taken to the front and made every post a winner, triumphing by more than a length from the Andrew Bourke-trained Lang Park (James Innes Jnr, $7) and the Toby Pracey-trained Feirme Prince (Clayton Gallagher, $8).
Raced by Peter Beaton, Doogan&rsquo;s Design has now won four from 12 and looks like a very handy sprinter.
The following day, Widdison only had to make the short trip across the border to Albury, racing Baggage Handler, who was first-up since July.
Following good trials at Albury and Corowa late last year, Baggage Handler was crunched in from $2.30 to $1.65 in the 1000m Benchmark 58 Handicap.
The four-year-old Squasmosa gelding didn&rsquo;t disappoint punters either, with Nick Souquet driving to the front and from there, it was a one-act affair as Baggage Handler held on for a comfortable one-and-a-half length win from the Ben Brisbourne-trained Antisocial (Lachlan King, $5.50) while three lengths away in third was the Peter Maher-trained Ima Guru (Brendan Ward, $51). &nbsp;
Widdison joked that it was long overdue when asked about his successful two days.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s much better than how we&rsquo;ve been going, so hopefully things are turning,&rdquo; Widdison laughed.
The enigmatic Baggage Handler won the $50,000 Super Maiden at Wagga in late 2023 and has always shown ability, and Widdison was happy to see his galloper&rsquo;s scintillating speed on show at Albury.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve seen him before, really charge early, and I think he was a bit better again today, and I think he&rsquo;ll get there,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;I was rapt with that and thought he did what he had to do, and he&rsquo;ll take a heap of benefit out of that.&rdquo;
Widdison was pleased for his owners, Snow Road Thoroughbreds, who also race The Prodigal Son with the Wodonga stable.
&ldquo;Greg McNulty is a fantastic bloke; he&rsquo;s president of Benalla Turf Club, and Greg has supported me all the way along since I&rsquo;ve been back in the area,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;He does nothing but kick up for me everywhere he can, and he has about four horses with me on his own, let alone shares he&rsquo;s got with the Wylie Dalziel team, so it&rsquo;s fantastic, and he deserves all the success he gets.&rdquo;
Baggage Handler looks above average, and Nick Souquet quickly praised Widdison&rsquo;s team for getting the enigmatic galloper ready to race.
&ldquo;He went well today, and it was more of a relief to see him do that,&rdquo; Souquet said.
&ldquo;He could always do it, but at trackwork, he is a very difficult horse to ride, and Craig&rsquo;s foreman (Kip Rieck) is the most brilliant horseman, and she got him going around.
&ldquo;He is a real handful, and she seems to get along with him so well and looks after him, and she did all the groundwork on him and got him going to where he is today.&rdquo;
Widdison Racing has hit the ground running in 2025, landing three winners in just over two weeks.
At Wodonga on January 5, Majestic Reward made a winning debut in the 1100m Maiden Plate.
With Brendan Ward in the saddle, the 40/1 outsider held off all challengers to score a very nice one-and-a-half length victory for connections.
Words: Jeff Hanson Image: Racing Photography

Cowra feature and Albury win delights Craig Widdison

Talented mare Doogan&rsquo;s Design will return to racing in Sunday&rsquo;s Cowra Japan Cup (1200m) for Wodonga trainer Craig Widdison.
A three-time winner, the Master Of Design mare won three races at her first six starts, saluting at Goulburn, Albury, and Wagga in late 2023.
Up in class following a strong start to her career, the five-year-old has never been far away in good company.
Last preparation, she ran a good second, going down by a flared nostril to the Todd Smart-trained Love Shuck (Billy Owen, $2.70) in the time-honoured Ian Reid Sprint.
After finishing down the track at Benalla in September, Doogan&rsquo;s Design was sent to the paddock but returns at Cowra tomorrow in their $32,000 feature sprint.
Brendan Ward has been locked in for the ride on the five-year-old, with Widdison &lsquo;really happy with her&rsquo; as the stable prepares for the 700km roundtrip.
Bookmakers have kept Doogan&rsquo;s Design safe ($8.50 in from $9.50) in what is an open event.
Connections have drawn well with gate three, and the Wodonga-based mare will only carry 55kg.
The Widdison Racing team will be busy on Sunday, racing in NSW and Victoria.
Also racing at Benalla, Nick Souquet takes the ride on Bodhi in the 1206m Maiden Plate.
Bodhi finished down the track when on debut at Wagga Wagga on January 3, and the three-year-old will be better for the run when racing at Benalla.
The following day, the stable is in action just across the border at Albury, with up to two starters going around.
The in-form Ilikesooboogie has been racing well, running recent placings at Albury and Corowa.
Still, the Kooringal Stud-raced Sooboog gelding has drawn awkwardly with gate 17 in the 1000m Maiden Plate.
Later in the program, the exciting galloper Baggage Handler returns to racing in the 1000m Benchmark 58 Handicap.
A convincing winner of the $50,000 Super Maiden at Wagga in late 2023, the Squamosa gelding has a lot of talent and has trialled well for this race, winning over the 900m at Corowa late last month.
Raced by Snow Road Thoroughbreds, the four-year-old has drawn gate nine, and Nick Souquet takes the ride.
Readers can follow our starters and stable updates on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (X). Words: Jeff Hanson Image: Bradley Photos

Doogan’s Design set for Cowra Japan Cup

Riding legend Damien Oliver&rsquo;s advice won&rsquo;t be forgotten in Saturday&rsquo;s Group 3 Standish Handicap at Flemington.
Wodonga trainer&nbsp;Craig Widdison&nbsp;went against the Hall of Famer&rsquo;s advice and paid the penalty with&nbsp;The Prodigal Son&nbsp;at Canberra last month.
The Prodigal Son won from the back of the field in Sydney first-up, but Widdison put his hand up as the cause of the handy sprinter&rsquo;s disastrous outing in a $200,000 race in Canberra.
&ldquo;It was my fault, not (jockey) Nick&rsquo;s (Souquet), but I think we just rode him too close,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;We thought there wasn&rsquo;t a lot of speed and drew barrier one, so we thought we&rsquo;d take advantage of that.&rdquo;
That plan went against Oliver&rsquo;s thoughts after he rode The Prodigal Son to win down the Flemington straight in August 2023.
Oliver brought The Prodigal Son from the back of the field to win over the Standish Handicap course, providing a tactical template for the gelding.
&ldquo;Ollie told us to ride him like that too, he told us to leave him alone and he thought that would work for him,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;As usual, he would be right; we should know better by now.&rdquo;
Naturally, Widdison said he would revert to The Prodigal Son&rsquo;s previous tactics for the Standish Handicap in which punters have specked the five-year-old from $34 into $21.
&ldquo;We have to let him find his feet and let him finish off,&rdquo; Widdison said.
Widdison said The Prodigal Son has progressed well since his unplaced Canberra outing while the son of Fighting Sun was in fairly at the weights with 54kg.
&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t be happier with him,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;We just hope he measures up.
&ldquo;Ratings-wise, the top rater is only 10 points above him so it&rsquo;s not like we&rsquo;re going right into the deep end.&rdquo;
Blaike McDougall&nbsp;will ride The Prodigal Son in the Standish Handicap, while Souquet will ride his stablemate&nbsp;Duped By Spin&nbsp;in the Jockey Acknowledgement Plate (1600m).
Duped By Spin finished fourth at Wagga at her second-up run on Christmas Eve but Widdison noted the five-year-old had seven weeks between runs after a mishap on Wodonga Cup Day.
&ldquo;We were meant to go to the Wodonga Cup but she slipped in the tie-up stalls before the race so she ended up seven weeks between runs.
&ldquo;She&rsquo;s a bit older now, so she might take a run or two.&rdquo;
Duped By Spin is a $34 chance in early betting. Words: Brad Waters (Racenet) Image: Racing Photos

Ollie's advice will be followed in Standish Handicap

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&rsquo;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&rsquo;t be an issue, but again, we&rsquo;ve drawn awkwardly with gate 10. Words: Jeff Hanson Image: Trackpix Photography

Widdison searching for an early Christmas present at Wagga

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Steve’s Way primed for Albury Mile

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