Form trainer eyes more success at Gosford meeting

2 months ago 9

By John Schell

December 27, 2025 — 5.00pm

Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup continues to ride the crest of a wave, and he is hoping it will continue at Sunday’s meeting at Gosford.

Widdup has had a steady flow of winners of late, and is confident he can maintain that in Gosford, starting with the unraced Southport in the Aubrey Brown Lawyers C,G&E Maiden Plate (1100m).

Southport is on debut, and he has shown ability in two trials at Canterbury and Hawkesbury.

“He’s a horse that has always shown us plenty,” Widdup said.

“If he can keep improving then he should be very hard to hold out.”

Tyler Schiller takes the ride on Southport, and he is expecting a good showing from the galloper.

Longinus will represent Widdup in the Narara Plumbing Services Class 1 Handicap (1600m).

“He ran well at Kembla Grange when resuming,” Widdup said.

“He raced on the speed at the same track last time out and disappointed, but this looks a better race.“

The Schiller ridden Hyberbolic will represent Widdup in race six, the Gosford RSL Belle Of The Turf Stakes (1600m). “She’s been racing in great form,” he said.

“She won at Rosehill in great style when she was fresh and back from a spell and followed that up with another win at Randwick. If she can run up to those efforts she should be hard to beat again.“

Jason Collett looks set for a big day at Gosford with the top jockey partnering Sparkling Fire in the opening event against Southport.

“Sparkling Fire is a very nice horse that has trialled impressively,” he said.

“He’s won both of his trials and only needs to run up to those efforts to be the one to beat again.”

Collett will ride the Chris Waller trained Ballpark in the Narama Plumbing Services Class 1 Handicap. Ballpark trialled well before debuting with a second placing at Hawkesbury and backed that up with a last start Kembla Grange victory.

Collett will round out the day when riding Peace Centre for trainer Liam Ruddy in The Coast Club Malcolm Cusick Stakes – Class 4 Handicap 1200m), and Mare Of Mount Buller in the Belle Of The Turf Stakes.

He also has the prized ride on favourite Caffe Florian in the Group 3 Elie Sand & Soil Gosford Guineas (1200m).

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