Trainer Brad Widdup is refusing to dwell on the puzzling last-start performance of his mare Tequila Baby, instead focusing on a strong return to form at Warwick Farm this Wednesday.
Forgiving a Rare Off-Day
The four-year-old daughter of Capitalist turned in an uncharacteristically flat run on December 3 at the same track, finishing a well-beaten ninth behind Hellbent On You. Widdup admitted the performance left him searching for answers.
"I'm a bit unsure as to what the problem could have been because she was a bit disappointing," Widdup said. "She got stuck on the inside and got further back than where she normally would settle. She was only plain that day."
Despite the setback, the Hawkesbury-based trainer reports the mare has recovered well and her home track work has been encouraging, prompting him to draw a line through the run.
Seeking a Return to Winning Ways
Prior to that blip, Tequila Baby's form was impressive. She capped off her previous preparation with back-to-back wins at Gundagai and Hawkesbury. This campaign, she resumed with a narrow second at Kembla Grange before a dominant near-length victory.
She now lines up in a Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) for fillies and mares, a race Widdup believes is well within her capabilities. "At her best, she should definitely be right in the finish in a race like this," he stated confidently.
A key change could be her draw in barrier two. "I think the gate might make a difference," Widdup explained. "She is probably better racing off the fence and I feel it gives her a few more options." Leading apprentice Braith Nock retains the ride, his 1.5kg claim reducing her weight to a competitive 58kg.
Stablemates Ready to Fire
Widdup will also saddle up two other promising runners on the card. Three-year-old filly Blue Eyed Brigid steps up to 2200m in a Benchmark 64, though a wide draw is a concern. The daughter of Farnan broke her maiden by four lengths and has been building steadily over longer trips.
"She is an interesting filly," Widdup said. "She definitely seems to be able to handle it all. She is holding good weight and I have increased her workload a little bit and she is handling it."
Meanwhile, Tenbury Wells will look to build on a confidence-boosting second at Newcastle when he runs in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m). "The horse has got good ability and hopefully stepping out to 1400 metres will suit him," the trainer noted.
Syndicator's Pride in Indefensible
In other Warwick Farm news, syndication manager Tom Walter feels a personal stake in the Joe Pride-trained mare Indefensible, who contests the All Too Hard Handicap (1000m). Walter is part of the ownership group, adding extra pressure.
The mare has been inconsistent but showed sharp improvement last start when second over the course and distance. "She was able to settle and although she had an interrupted run, once she got clear, she really motored to the line," Walter said.
The team is hoping for a strong tempo to help her from an outside gate. "This gives her a chance to put her hand up and say she's a city class horse," Walter added.
