Trainer Brad Widdup is backing his mare Tequila Baby to swiftly atone for a puzzling last-start performance when she returns to the track at Warwick Farm this week. The four-year-old will line up in a Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m), with Widdup hopeful a slight barrier change can spark a return to her consistent best form.
Forgiving the Last Start Failure
Tequila Baby's most recent run on December 3 at Warwick Farm was a significant departure from her usual pattern. Jumping from barrier one in a 1100m contest, she failed to show her customary early speed, settled midfield, and faded to finish a well-beaten ninth behind Hellbent On You, beating only two runners home. Widdup admitted the performance left him searching for answers.
"I'm a bit unsure as 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."
However, the trainer reports the daughter of Capitalist has recovered well. "She seems to have come through it in good order though. Her work at home has been good," he added, indicating the stable is prepared to draw a line through the run.
Form Points to a Strong Chance
Prior to that aberration, Tequila Baby's form was impressive. She finished her previous preparation with commanding back-to-back victories at Gundagai and Hawkesbury. She resumed this campaign with a narrow head second to Fourth Spargo over 1000m at Kembla Grange before a dominant win at Hawkesbury, racing outside the leader and drawing clear to score by nearly a length.
Widdup has engaged leading apprentice Braith Nock for the ride, whose 1.5kg claim will see Tequila Baby carry 58kg. The trainer also believes barrier two will offer a tactical advantage over the inside gate she had last time.
"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. At her best, she should definitely be right in the finish in a race like this."
Other Stable Runners in Focus
Widdup also provided updates on two other runners at the Warwick Farm meeting. He expressed confidence in three-year-old filly Blue Eyed Brigid, despite a wide draw in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (2200m). The filly, a daughter of Farnan, broke her maiden by four lengths at Hawkesbury and has since placed at 1800m.
"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."
The trainer also expects a forward showing from Tenbury Wells in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m), following a confidence-boosting second at Newcastle last start. "The horse has got good ability and hopefully stepping out to 1400 metres will suit him," Widdup noted.
Syndicator's Pressure with Indefensible
In other news, Proven Thoroughbreds media manager Tom Walter is feeling personal pressure with mare Indefensible, who contests the All Too Hard Handicap (1000m). Walter is part of the ownership syndicate for the Joe Pride-trained four-year-old, who is coming off a fast-finishing second over the course and distance.
"She has been a bit rocks or diamonds. When she has run poorly, she has been really poor and when she has won, she has been very good," Walter said. He explained that the team has identified her preference for sharply run 1000m races. "That was really encouraging and is essentially why we decided to keep her to the 1000 metres again... Hopefully she can drop in behind them again and we'll see if she can come home over the top of them."
