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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">WODONGA sprinter The Prodigal Son backed up his prelude win with a barnstorming victory in the $200,000 Wagga Town Plate (1200m) on Thursday.Just 11 days after <a href="https://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/8599753/the-prodigal-son-shines-in-wagga-town-plate-prelude/" target="_self">a big win in the Town Plate Prelude</a>, The Prodigal Son ($5.50) repeated the dose by storming home to capture the feature sprint in a photo finish.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">The Prodigal Son screamed home down the outside to edge out 90-1 outsider The Wizard Of Oz by a short half head, with Gravina ($5.50) a further half neck away in third.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">The Prodigal Son provided Wodonga trainer Craig Widdison with his first Wagga major, combining with well-travelled jockey Jason Lyon in what was the biggest win of his career.The Prodigal Son entered the Town Plate as the baby of the field, taking on the race at just his 12<sup>th</sup> start and both Widdison and Lyon gave all credit to the exciting four-year-old<br />"It's fantastic. He did a super job," Widdison said.<br />"I didn't think we were going to get there in the run but wow, he's a pretty talented horse, that's a great race to win."He gives himself a chance because he's just a gentleman to do anything with. So adaptable, he can win from the front, he's won from last, midfield today. He gives himself a chance. He's always shown us that he's got above average ability but he's a gentleman to do anything with to go along with it.<br />&nbsp;"I love coming to Wagga, it's my favourite track anyway and to win one of the big ones here is just fantastic for more or less locals in the area.<br />"These are the races that are fantastic to win and give us a chance<br />Lyon said all credit to The Prodigal Son.<br />"He did it the tough way," Lyon said. "We were three wide, two and a half and three wide and wobbled a bit on the bend.<br />"I thought I got beat.<br />"I was sort of stewing a bit because we did it tough but when I seen the number come up it was a good relief, it's better to go that way than the other.<br />"It was a huge effort by the horse."<br />The Town Plate continued a rapid rebuild from Widdison, who only <a href="https://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/7698168/inside-racing-widdison-set-to-make-return/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">regained his trainer's licence</a> from a two-year disqualification midway through 2022.<br />Widdison paid tribute to his owners, including Greg McNulty, who bred and races The Prodigal Son, for making it possible.<br />"A couple of our great owners jumped straight back on board," he said.<br />"Greg McNulty being one of the first along with Kooringal Stud. Without them you're nothing and Greg owns a lot of horses and races a lot of horses and deserves all the success he gets."<br />Lyon, the 43-year-old who has ridden a winner in every state and territory in Australia, rated the win as the biggest of his career."It would probably be my biggest win, prizemoney wise. I've won a group three in Adelaide but that's definitely the biggest prizemoney wise," Lyon said."<br />"You get good opportunities and you've got to get the job done. Things are going really well."<br />It was a big finish to Town Plate day for Widdison, who completed a race-to-race double when Duped By Spin ($3.80) took out the last race, the Benchmark 66 Showcase Handicap (1600m). Story by Matt Malone - The Daily Advertiser</p>
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Craig Widdison Racing

Widdison, Lyon combine to strike Town Plate success with The Prodigal Son

Craig Widdison

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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">PROMISING Wodonga galloper The Prodigal Son burst into Wagga Town Plate calculations with a barnstorming victory in the prelude at Wagga on Sunday.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Wodonga trainer Craig Widdison declared it will be full steam towards next month's $200,000 Wagga Town Plate (1200m) after a dominant prelude win.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">The Prodigal Son ($4.40) made light work of a talented field to win the $40,000 Wagga Town Plate Prelude (1200m).</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">The four-year-old improved his record to four wins from just 11 starts with the win.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">He downed fellow border sprinters Tap N Run ($7.50) and Canny Hell ($2.05) by two and a half lengths<br /><br />Widdison confirmed he will now push on to the Wagga Town Plate.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"Yes, definitely. It's been in our mind for 12 months for the Town Plate," Widdison said.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"After Caulfield first-up we were scratching our head, we couldn't find anything wrong with him.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"I was hoping it was just the shifty track, he continued to please us in between.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"I thought he would be hard to beat on his real form."</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">The Prodigal Son didn't beat a runner home first-up at Caulfield but brought his best at Wagga on Sunday!</p>
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<div class="md:overflow-hidden md:rounded-md"><picture><img class="mx-auto w-full" title="Jason Lyon and Craig Widdison discuss the win of The Prodigal Son on Sunday. Picture by Bernard Humphreys" src="https://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/8tYDWUpBiaA8SfdG6xkddz/e4c4b723-3585-4d4f-85c7-565710972830.jpg/r0_168_6880_5504_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg" alt="Jason Lyon and Craig Widdison discuss the win of The Prodigal Son on Sunday. Picture by Bernard Humphreys" /></picture></div>
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<div class="px-4 pt-3 font-inter text-sm font-normal leading-5 text-gray-500 md:px-0">Jason Lyon and Craig Widdison discuss the win of The Prodigal Son on Sunday. Picture by Bernard Humphreys</div>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Widdison can't see why he won't give a sight in the main event in a couple of weeks.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"It was terrific," he said.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"He'll be a lightweight chance.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"I know it's a tough race, I'm under no illusions to that but we've always have a fair rap on the horse and he's only lightly-raced and he's still got a lot more improvement to come."</p>
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<h4 class="text-sm leading-5 text-blue-600"><a class="text-blue-600 hover:opacity-30" href="https://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/profile/1399/matt-malone/" data-testid="author-link">Matt Malone</a></h4>
<div class="font-inter text-sm leading-5 text-gray-500">Sports Editor</div>
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The Prodigal Son books Wagga Town Plate ticket with dominant win!

Duped By Spin came with a great run to win the BM70 Country Mile Series heat at Wangaratta today worth $75,000. A very nice pick up for connections and gets herself into the $250,000 final at Caulfield in a couple of weeks time. A exciting time for all involved and we wish the owners all the best on the 16th March!

Duped By Spin brings home the chocolates!

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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">IT IS set to be a prosperous Christmas at the Widdison household after the Wodonga stable landed a winning double on Ted Ryder Cup day at Murrumbidgee Turf Club.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Wodonga trainer Craig Widdison captured the first ever $50,000 Super Maiden Handicap (1065m) held at Wagga with promising sprinter Baggage Handler ($2.40).</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Experienced jockey Nick Souquet rode the three-year-old like a good thing and that's exactly what he proved to be as he raced away to score by one and a half lengths.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Baggage Handler did plenty of work to eventually cross and lead but then had the audacity to offer a big kick in the home straight to win eased down.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">The Peter Clancy-trained Kaida Blaze ($34) powered home for a mighty second, while Dolly ($5.00) was a further two and three quarter lengths back in third place.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">It capped off a big day for Widdison, who had Doogan's Design ($13) take out the Class Two Handicap (1200m).</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Widdison was rapt with the day out, particularly by taking out Wagga's first Super Maiden.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"They're fantastic, another great concept in New South Wales isn't it?" Widdison said with a laugh.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"At the end of the day, I nearly consider myself a New South Welshmen.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"It will be a good Christmas, for sure."</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Baggage Handler won a Wagga trial in October stylishly but was just run down on the line on debut at Benalla over 1100m.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Owned by Greg McNulty's Snow Road Thoroughbreds, Baggage Handler was never going to get run down this time.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Widdison believes the Squamosa gelding has a big future.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"He's a nice horse," he said.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"He trialled real good and we expected him to win at Benalla and he just wobbled around the turn and probably cost himself, which he hadn't done previously but race pressure for the first time I suppose.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"He's still immature, he's going to be better next prep but he's a lovely horse. He's still got to physically develop a bit more too but he's going to have a big future I think."</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Widdison hasn't got anything immediately picked out for Baggage Handler.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"After Benalla we gave him a couple of weeks off just because his bloods said he wasn't really coping with the workload so we just backed off with this race in mind and I thought it would be nice to get him to this," he said.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"Now we'll just see how he pulls up but if he's got to have a break, he's going to a break a winner."<br />As for Doogan's Design, she made it back-to-back wins and three victories from six race starts with her all-the-way success.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Widdison said it might be time to have a crack at a midweek city race with the four-year-old mare.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"She's a handy mare, she's building a good record and is three from six now," he said.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"It looked like a really even race today but the more I looked into it the more I thought she was every bit as good as them.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"The way the track played probably helped her but it was a good ride (by Simon Miller) and blinkers on has changed her again.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"I think she's going good enough to have a little look at a midweeker, a fillies and mares midweeker or something like that."<br /><br />Article by The Daily Advertiser</p>
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Widdison set for Super Christmas after Ted Ryder Cup day double at Wagga

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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Trainer Craig Widdison feels the Corowa track could be the biggest hurdle for Oh No Mikki to overcome when he tackles the $27,000 Benchmark 66 Handicap, (1000m) on Tuesday.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">The Corowa track notoriously favours on pace runners with Oh No Mikki a noted backmarker who likes to settle at the tail of the field before unleashing late in his races.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">The Widdison-trained galloper has drawn in barrier three with Nick Souquet booked to ride.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"It looks like a nice race for the horse but the only problem is he gets back in his races but he is drawn well and will just need a touch of luck at the right time," Widdison said.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"It's a race he is definitely up to class-wise."</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Oh No Mikki hasn't raced for six-weeks after the stable was able to land a successful plunge on the galloper at Wagga in October when resuming from a 17-week break.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Heavily supported in betting, Oh No Mikki was backed from $8.50 into $5 and landed the cash after producing a barnstorming finish from well back in the field to swamp his rivals with Souquet aboard.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Widdison said he has a 'big opinion' of the galloper who joined his stable in February after previously being trained by George Dimitropoulos.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"I've got a big opinion of the horse," he said.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"I learnt about the horse last preparation where he had six starts and what I need to do with him.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"We struck a few wet tracks and he still ran well but he wasn't totally suited by the rain affected going.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"He's only coming off a win in Benchmark 58 grade but I thought he had a significant class edge over his rivals that day.<br />Article by The Border Mail</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"He had a lot of weight that day as well after carrying 63.5kg."</p>
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<div class="px-4 pt-3 font-inter text-sm font-normal leading-5 text-gray-500 md:px-0">The Craig Widdison-trained Oh No Mikki winning at Wagga in April with Nick Souquet aboard. Picture by Daily Advertiser</div>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Widdison felt Oh No Mikki's finishing burst was by far his biggest asset.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"The horse has got a real dynamic sprint for a short period of time, especially when he is held up until late in his races and can come with one crack at them," Widdison said.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"I think last-start he proved how lethal a turn of foot he has got.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"The six week break is not a concern and I feel the horses races best coming off a big break between runs.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"We have nominated him for Moonee Valley a couple of times lately but pulled him out when it didn't look the right race for him.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"He was also a late scratching on Wodonga Cup day when the rain arrived when he was set to contest the last race on the card.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"So he has probably had a bit longer between runs than I had planned but in saying that, that won't beat him because that is what he prefers."</p>
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Wodonga trainer has 'a big opinion' of galloper ahead of Corowa meeting

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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Temperamental filly Ellessthree did plenty wrong but was still able to notch her first win from only her second career start for trainer Craig Widdison at Wodonga on Friday.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Ridden by Simon Miller, Ellessthree notched an all-the-way victory when taking out the $37,500 Maiden Plate, (1200m).<br />Starting second favourite Ellessthree ($4.60) found the front from the inside barrier and led into the home-straight but wobbled out to the middle of the track on the home turn.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Despite hanging for most of the trip and providing Miller with a torrid ride, Ellessthree proved too strong down the home straight to win by 2.75-lengths over longshot Zemgrinda ($21).</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Race favourite Carat Time ($2.90) from the Nick Ryan stable finished third.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Widdison felt Ellessthree would take plenty of catching once she found the front despite being in a muck lather of sweat as she passed the winning post.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"She has always had her fair share of ability but she is quite a hot filly," Widdison said.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"So it's been a good job by my team to keep her in a normal capacity.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"Simon (Miller) does a fair bit of work with her and has ridden her a few times in jump outs and trials.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"So it was good to have somebody aboard that knows her.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"When Simon gave her a dig out of the gates and found the front, I thought she was always going to prove hard to beat."</p>
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<div class="px-4 pt-3 font-inter text-sm font-normal leading-5 text-gray-500 md:px-0">Ellessthree had a big margin over her rivals over the concluding stages in the $37,500 Maiden Plate, (1200m) at Wodonga on Friday.</div>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Ellessthree trialled publicly on four occasions before making her debut at Albury late last month where she finished runner-up.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Widdison revealed that Ellessthree wasn't as worked up on debut as she was at Wodonga on Friday.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"Her first run, she handled it quite well at Albury but sometimes these hot one's can even get worked up on their home track and over the top like she did today," Widdison said.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"But we will give her the benefit of the doubt."</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Miller felt he had earned his riding fee and winning percentage after returning to scale.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"She's hard work," Miller said.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"I've had the easy job, Ryan Hamilton who is strapper today is the bloke who has to deal with her every morning.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"He deserves a medal to put up with her because she is hard work.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"She can gallop a little bit but she is going to have to start doing things better than that if she wants to go through the grades."</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">Miller thought Ellessthree may have been vulnerable in the home straight after hanging for most of the sprint trip.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"She hung out the whole way which didn't give me much confidence throughout the run," he said.<br /><br /><br />"I thought when she wobbled out on the turn that something might get up on the inside and beat her.</p>
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<p class="Paragraph_wrapper__6w7GG">"But she is fairly tough, so there is definitely something there to work with going forward."<br /><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><br />Article by The Border Mail</span></p>
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Widdisons "Hot Filly" gets the job done at Wodonga

Wodonga trainer Craig Widdison jumped at the opportunity to participate in the first Aspirant race held in Melbourne and landed his first Flemington winner in six years when The Prodigal Son won the 1100-metre sprint.<br /><br />Widdison said his New South Wales neighbours had been boasting about heading to Sydney to run in their Highway races, so he was thrilled there was now races put on in Melbourne for the smaller stables.<br /><br />&ldquo;It&rsquo;s great to have something for us. Especially being on the border, they&rsquo;ve tended to let us know about it,&rdquo; Widdison said.<br /><br />Widdison said he was a little surprised that The Prodigal Son settled back in the run, which wasn&rsquo;t how he has raced in the past, but he wasn&rsquo;t too worried as Damien Oliver was the rider.<br /><br />&ldquo;We thought he might be up near the front, but that&rsquo;s why you have Ollie on him and he hit the line really well. He&rsquo;s shown plenty on the track, so we know he&rsquo;s got that turn of foot. It was a different style of win for him.&rdquo;<br /><br />&ldquo;It&rsquo;s great to get a win for Glen as he supported me before the break, and he supported me as soon as I came back. I&rsquo;ve got four horses for him. It&rsquo;s one he&rsquo;s bred, so he&rsquo;ll be stoked by that. It&rsquo;s good to get a winner anywhere, but especially in town.&rdquo;<br /><br />Widdison said there was another Aspirant race at The Valley in three weeks which could be The Prodigal Son&rsquo;s next start.<br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/Racing/status/1687653464438947840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1687653464438947840%7Ctwgr%5Ea72fe7bbfc4f0196fbe230ac78c1f566e30a4dfb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racing.com%2Fnews%2F2023-08-05%2Fnews-review-widdisons-son-a-gun-050823" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"It certainly gives great horseman like Craig (Widdison) a good opportunity here at Flemington." Damien Oliver gives his thoughts on the new 10-race format 🗣</a><br /><br /><span style="opacity: 0; position: absolute; white-space: pre-wrap; user-select: auto;">https://twitter.com/Racing/status/1687653464438947840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1687653464438947840%7Ctwgr%5Ea72fe7bbfc4f0196fbe230ac78c1f566e30a4dfb%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racing.com%2Fnews%2F2023-08-05%2Fnews-review-widdisons-son-a-gun-050823</span>

Widdison's Son a gun

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<p>Over the years, Wodonga trainer <a href="https://www.widdisonracing.com.au">Craig Widdison</a> has enjoyed much success in NSW, with many of his winners arriving at Wagga and Albury and, to a lesser extent, Corowa, Narrandera, and Gundagai.</p>
<p>Still, it&rsquo;s been somewhat surprising to see him venturing as far as <a href="https://goulburnraceclub.com.au">Goulburn</a> in recent weeks, with the eight-hour round trip a long one for his stable.&nbsp;<br /><br /></p>
<p>The decision has been a smart one, with Widdison bringing up a double on June 16, with Lunar Solar (Holly Durnan, <a href="https://thunderbet.com.au/racing/gallops/goulburn/race-5-1132691-1012427">$5.50</a>) winning the 1000m Benchmark 58 Handicap for fillies and mares before Doogan&rsquo;s Design (Nick Souquet, <a href="https://thunderbet.com.au/racing/gallops/goulburn/race-7-1132697-1012427">$6</a>) triumphed in the 1000m Maiden Handicap.<br /><br /></p>
<p>On Monday, Widdison ventured north again, and with Tumbarumba product and Wodonga-based hoop Nick Souquet in tow for just one ride, the pair took out the 1200m Benchmark 58 Handicap with Intense Effort (<a href="https://thunderbet.com.au/racing/gallops/goulburn/race-5-1162600-1015217">$4.40</a>).&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;I definitely love coming to Goulburn,&rdquo; Widdison laughed.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Souquet had to get every bit out of the four-year-old that looked gone for all money down the home straight, but she flashed home over the final 50 metres, bringing up Widdison&rsquo;s third winner at Goulburn from just four starters.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;I thought she was sort of going nowhere up the straight, but she did that at Bendigo too, and it looked like she was going to drop out, and I thought it might have been the wet track, but to her credit, she picked up late,&rdquo; Widdison said.&nbsp;</p>
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<div class="_ning_inner"><a class="strack_cli _ning_link" href="https://www.nswcountryandpicnicracing.com.au?_dnlink=5710&amp;t=1690302841" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Souquet works closely with Widdison, and the pairing has proven a very potent team of late.<br /><br />&ldquo;Nick jumped her out at Wangaratta the other morning, and we gave her a soft one, but he was pretty upbeat about her chances,&rdquo; Widdison said. <br /><br />&ldquo;Nick does a lot for me, and we&rsquo;ve been good mates for a long time, and it&rsquo;s great to have a bit of luck with him.&rdquo; &nbsp;</a></div>
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Widdison was ready for a break after racing at Sandown on Thursday, Wagga on Friday, Narrandera on Sunday, and Goulburn on Monday. <br /><br />&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a quiet week, but we need one; we&rsquo;ve had a few big days, so it&rsquo;ll be nice to relax,&rdquo; Widdison said. <br /><br />Souquet travelled to Narrandera on Sunday for one ride, winning on the Widdison-trained Duped By Spin in the 1400m Benchmark 58 Handicap.<br /><br /><br />After three consecutive trips into NSW, Souquet shared the same sentiment as Widdison, with the well-travelled hoop happy to kick the feet up for a couple of days. <br /><br />&ldquo;It has been a big week for me and Craig,&rdquo; Souquet said.<br /><br />&ldquo;It&rsquo;s been all right and a lot of hours in the car, and I&rsquo;m looking forward to having a couple of days off.&rdquo;

Widdison continues Goulburn love affair

Wodonga trainer Craig Widdison savoured a perfect day at his home track over the weekend after landing a treble from his stable's only three runners.

News Detail

Rydenatt, Duped By Spin and Lunar Solar hand Craig Widdison stable a winning treble

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