Brad Widdup knew it wasn’t ideal to back Savvy Hallie up in the Silver Shadow Stakes just nine days after her Super Maiden win at Newcastle, but made the decision to do so on three counts. Firstly, the filly’s effortless romp in the 900m Newcastle race had been no more taxing than a decent track gallop. Secondly, she hadn’t left a flake in the feed bin since, and thirdly needed to run in the Silver Shadow to be any hope of contesting the upcoming Princess Series. “The BK team were keen to run, and when she was doing somersaults in the stable on Thursday morning I decided to accept,” said Brad.
As it turned out the trainer needn’t have worried. The Hellbent filly was away like a flash in the Gr 2 and Jay Ford made the immediate decision to park her outside the leader and pronounced favourite Agarwood. Within The Law settled in the box seat with well tried Queen Of Clubs run off her feet early. Savvy Hallie dashed past Agarwood at the 200m where Jason Collett angled Within The Law across the heels of the two leaders. Queen Of Clubs was winding up much too late, with nothing else in contention. Within The Law made good headway without ever looking likely to gun Savvy Hallie down, and right on the line was being safely held. It was a deserved stakes win for a filly who hasn’t put a foot wrong in six starts. Her $320,000 purchase price at the 2024 Inglis Classic Sale has now been surpassed by her prize money tally of $465,450.
Savvy Hallie raced outside the leader before scoring a decisive win over Within The Law in the Silver Shadow Stakes. Queen Of Clubs finished third - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
There’s been something very businesslike about Savvy Hallie from the day she debuted in a Warwick Farm midweek two year event in February. The filly was kept safe in the market at $8.00 despite rave reviews for Ryan and Alexiou’s King Of Pop and Waller’s Congressman. Savvy Hallie’s trademark racing manners were on display when she left the gates like a seasoned sprinter from a wide gate, but was doomed to a three wide fate. She let down impressively to dash clear at the 200m with King Of Pop in hot pursuit after a cosy run. The latter nailed her in the last few bounds with Congressman third. King Of Pop gave the form some credence with a stylish Black Opal win three weeks later.
Savvy Hallie went to Randwick for the Reisling Stakes and was taken back to last from a horror draw. She finished up in fifth place just over four lengths from brilliant winner Tempted, and what do you think finished second. Subsequent Golden Slipper winner Marhoona if you please. Savvy Hallie had given them too big a start, but she was very strong to the line.
Brad made the call to target two black type races when the filly continued to thrive in the stable, and she didn’t let him down. Savvy Hallie led before running second to Nepotism in the Gr3 Baillieu Hcp at Rosehill, and beat all but talented Tempted in the Gr 2 Percy Sykes with Within The Law in third place. Nepotism would win the Gr 1 Champagne Stakes at his following run, while Tempted had run third to Marhoona and Wodeton in the Slipper three weeks before the Percy Sykes. Savvy Hallie’s form had been well and truly endorsed, and Brad Widdup couldn’t have been happier when the Hellbent filly went to the paddock. That spell was enormously beneficial as her two recent wins would indicate.
Brad Widdup receives the trainer's trophy from ATC Director Caroline Searcy - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Savvy Hallie is one of a sizeable team of horses owned by Brad and Kylie Hunt’s BK Racing and Breeding operation. All the BK horses race in the familiar and visually attractive lime green and silver hoops with a matching cap. The company’s racing interests are managed by former jockey Ben Vassallo who quit the saddle in 2014 with 150 winners on his CV. Ben spent the last two years of his apprenticeship with the late Guy Walter who gave him generous support when opportunities were scarce for the young jockey. During his time with the Walter stable Ben got to ride several Brad Hunt horses in trackwork and became quite friendly with the owner-breeder. Needless to say he was surprised and thrilled when invited to manage the racing interests of BK Racing.
Brad Widdup was understandably chuffed to win Saturday’s Gr 2 event for the Hunt operation. “Brad and Kylie have been great supporters and usually have a horse in my stable,” said the trainer. “It’s been my pleasure to train numerous winners for them. Fire Lane won three including the Max Lees Classic and Vulpine won seven races including the Gr 3 Wenona Girl, the listed Starlight Stakes and the listed Ortensia Stakes at Scone. I’m hoping Savvy Hallie turns out to be the best yet.”
Brad was pleased to hear whatever it was that Jay Ford had to say after the race - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Saturday’s black type win came right on top of Brad’s first ever Hawkesbury trainer’s premiership, a special honour that sits well with his four provincial training premiership victories. Just twenty four hours after Savvy Hallie’s win the stable struck again when Ruby Flyer, aided by a rails hugging ride from Dylan Gibbons revelled in the Heavy 9 going to win the $200,000 Goulburn Cup. Ruby Flyer is now assured of a start in the $3 million dollar Big Dance at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day. Brad Widdup slept soundly on Sunday night.
The trainer was every bit as ”toey” about a Hawkesbury barrier trial on Monday morning as he was about the Silver Shadow or Goulburn Cup. The catalyst for his anxiety was the return of his lightly raced sprinter Jedibeel who shapes up as a real Spring prospect. Jedibeel contested an 800m group and listed trial on the course proper with Kerrin McEvoy on board. After beginning awkwardly, he was last of eight behind some very talented horses approaching the turn, where McEvoy eased to the outside. He was very impressive as he zipped to the line in fourth place just 1.3 lengths behind Golden Slipper winner Marhoona.
The six year old is clearly on track and will run first up in either the Concorde Stakes in Sydney or the Moir Stakes in Melbourne both scheduled for September 6th. Jedibeel is the first yearling ever purchased by valued stable client Mike Gregg and his grandson Lachlan Sheridan. Of all the yearlings Brad inspected at the 2020 Inglis Classic Sale Jedibeel was the one he liked best. His sire Savabeel needed no introduction, while his dam Starry was a daughter of Exceed And Excel. Starry hadn’t set the world on fire but she did win a Newcastle maiden and was placed four times for the Snowden stable.
Jedibeel (Tyler Schiller) was charging on the line to win the Challenge Stakes 08/03/2025 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Jedibeel has raced with great consistency through a twenty two start career, posting eight wins and eight placings for not far short of a million dollars. He’s already the winner of the listed Razor Sharp late last year and the Gr 2 Challenge Stakes in March. The turning point was the decision made by Brad to geld the horse after a couple of disappointing runs in the spring of 2023. The trainer was of the opinion he wasn’t totally focused, a call that proved to be right on the mark. The dual stakes winner furnished noticeably during his recent spell and looks set for his best ever preparation. He’s in the right camp and may well snare his first Gr 1 during the upcoming spring carnival.
Ruby Flyer (Dylan Gibbons) rounded off a big week for Brad by winning Sunday's Goulburn Cup. He's into the Big Dance! - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
(Banner image - Savvy Hallie (Jay Ford) was safely holding Within The Law when the judge called a halt in the Silver Shadow - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)