Justenuffsplash could be destined for bigger and better things if Monday’s victory at Albury is any indication.With Quayde Krogh still in the saddle, the three-year-old Rich Enuff filly, trained by Craig Widdison in Wodonga, stepped up in class to take on the 1175m Benchmark 66 Handicap.Forced to race wide from the awkward draw of gate seven, Krogh was able to get Justenuffsplash ($5) across the line first, beating the fast-finishing Pariah Flyer (Brittany Button, $6) by a head, while three-time winner Big Opinion (Brodie Loy, $8.50) was almost a length away in third.Following the gutsy victory, the Canberra jockey certainly thinks the Wodonga filly is up to a Wagga Town Plate and potentially other feature sprint races in the Riverina.“I definitely didn’t do her any favours in the run today and just couldn’t get clear of the one inside of me,” Krogh said after the race."I just elected, especially on today’s track, to keep her as happy as possible and she’s a tough horse.“The blinkers definitely helped her today, and she was a lot straighter at the finish. I think she is a very progressive 1200m mare and I’m looking forward to what Craig has got planned with her.”Justenuffsplash has now won three times in eight starts, and twice this preparation on heavy tracks, triumphing in a 1000m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Wagga on June 21 before her win at Albury on Monday.Those efforts were split by a disappointing run at Sandown on July 8, where she was beaten 20 lengths in a 1200m Benchmark 64 Handicap for fillies and mares.Widdison suggested the filly didn’t handle the Victorian way of going and won’t be heading that way again with Justenuffsplash any time soon, but is excited for her future.“She was wide, and she’s still green and does a few things wrong, so to be tough like that out there and keep fighting, I thought it was a pretty good job,” Widdison said.“She’s a lovely filly. She’s got a great attitude and great nature, and I think she’ll keep improving.”Strong season continues for WiddisonMonday’s win at Albury capped off what has been a stellar year for Widdison and his hard-working stable.The Wodonga trainer is having one of his best seasons in recent memory, preparing 27 victories in 2025/26.Widdison hasn’t been afraid to travel across the border, preparing 19 wins in NSW, largely enjoying success in the Southern Districts.In fact, since the beginning of May, Widdison’s stable has been the one to follow, racking up results at Wagga (3), Albury (3), Corowa and Narrandera.Widdison may have one final runner to round out the current season, with Needawinna entered to race at Wangaratta on Friday. Words: Jeff Hanson Image: Trackpix Photography

Craig Widdison Racing

Victorian continues to make a splash across the border

Craig Widdison

<div style="text-align: left">Craig Widdison will be the first person to tell you he nearly scratched his runner at Wagga on Sunday. Throughout the week, the Murrumbidgee Turf Club's rating read worse and worse, deteriorating from a Soft 6 to a Heavy 10 by race morning. Still, the Wodonga trainer made the trip — and the aptly named Justenuffsplash relished the testing conditions. Quayde Krogh rode the drifting $3.60 favourite, and the three-year-old Rich Enuff filly powered to a dominant 4.31-length victory. "We've had mixed signals from the people who have ridden her as to whether she would handle it or not," Widdison said. "A couple of her runs and trials on the soft, they didn't think she was as good, but she galloped at home last week on a really heavy track, and Deb Delphin, who trains at Wodonga, rode her and thought she was great in it. "I nearly didn't come when it went to a Ten. I nearly stayed home, but I thought it looked like a nice race for her." Justenuffsplash has been a good little earner for connections, racing six times since late last year for two wins and a third, banking almost $35,000 in prizemoney. "I've got a fair opinion of her, and I think we could sneak down to town for a restricted race midweek while she's still three. She's a nice filly." It's been a June to remember for the stable, which has prepared four winners this month. On Tuesday, Vickie's Dream (Cory Parish) broke through for a deserved maiden victory in the 900m Maiden Plate at Albury, following Majestic Reward (Brendan Ward), who delivered in the 1000m Class One Handicap at Narrandera on Saturday, June 13. Earlier in the month, Burning Issues (Brodie Loy) stormed to victory in the 1300m Maiden Plate. Widdison has now prepared 26 winners for the 2025/26 season. Words: Jeff Hanson/Dusty Hooves Media Image: Kylie Shaw/Trackpix</div>

Widdison makes splash as Wagga

Craig Widdison took his tally of winners for the 2025/26 season to a whopping 25 at Albury on Tuesday, with Vickie's Dream breaking through for a deserved maiden victory. The three-year-old Astern filly had Cory Parish in the saddle and was ridden patiently in the 900m Maiden Plate. Despite the heavy conditions and the short sprint trip, Vickie's Dream showed off her class, storming home for an eye-catching victory and putting a length on her nearest rival. It was a good day all round at Albury, with both Needawinna and Toyz In Zouland finishing runner-up in their respective races. Parish partnered both gallopers, with Needawinna continuing her consistent form when finishing second to the impressive Brial Rose in the 1000m Benchmark 58 Handicap, beaten just 0.86 of a length. The five-year-old Trust In A Gust mare has now started eight times for the stable, recording two wins and two minor placings. Toyz In Zouland was the big improver of the day in the 1000m Class One Handicap, also finishing strongly to claim second. The four-year-old Zousain mare ran into a smart one in the form of Gunz, which justified favouritism after jumping at $1.75. First-up from a spell, Toyz In Zouland will take plenty of benefit from the run heading into what shapes as a promising preparation. Tuesday's success at Albury followed on from a productive trip to Narrandera on Saturday.Racing in the 1000m Class One Handicap, Majestic Reward delivered another victory for the stable. Brendan Ward, who has enjoyed considerable success aboard Widdison Racing runners, produced a perfect ride on the four-year-old Reward For Effort mare. Ward guided Majestic Reward to the front at the right time before holding off a fast-finishing challenge to score a thrilling victory. The recent results continue a long run of success this season as Widdison and his team push towards one of their best campaigns to date. The stable will look to further improve on its impressive tally with runners nominated for Ballarat and Wagga on Sunday, Pakenham on Monday and Echuca on Tuesday. Words: Jeff Hanson / Dusty Hooves Media Image: Trackside Photography / Kylie Shaw

Narrandera and Albury wins continue super season

Mahogany Girl&nbsp;continued her remarkable comeback story at Albury on Friday, claiming victory in the Albury Sprint Classic (1175m).
Given a magic ride by Cory Parish, the 7YO&nbsp;Mshawish&nbsp;mare, out of Casinoholic, showcased a terrific turn of foot when putting away a good field in the feature sprint.&nbsp;
Bred and raced by Scott and Kathy Robertson,&nbsp;Mahogany Girl&nbsp;&ndash; who&rsquo;s already a broodmare &ndash; boasts the unlikeliest of stories.&nbsp;
Starting out her career with Peter Morgan, she debuted at Wagga in January 2022, finishing third before soon suffering a tendon injury.&nbsp;
Retired to stud,&nbsp;Mahogany Girl&nbsp;foaled a Peltzer colt in 2023, but was soon back in work, with Hawkesbury trainer Darryll Kell charged with overseeing her return to racing.
From there, the talented mare won four times in 12 starts, with her highlight victory arriving in the $150,000 Provincial Midway Championships at Hawkesbury in March 2025.&nbsp;
Robertson said time and patience were the secret to&nbsp;Mahogany Girl&rsquo;s successful return to racing.
&ldquo;She sliced her tendon, and we rehabilitated her, and about eight months in, it was healed, but we put her in foal to Peltzer and weaned the colt off her at about five months,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;After that, we put her back in to work, and the fact that she had plenty of time helped.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Robbie Jack once told me the best thing to do when they do a tendon is to get them in foal as the extra weight stretches the tendon, and they get all the time they need.&nbsp;
&ldquo;If she didn&rsquo;t have any ability, we would have kept her at stud, but the fact that she did have ability meant we gave her the time and backed ourselves.&rdquo;
Following a spell, the mare changed stables and is now trained by the red-hot Craig Widdison at Wodonga.
After two starts at Sandown and Bendigo,&nbsp;Mahogany Girl&nbsp;travelled to Albury and scored the fifth win of her 16-start career.&nbsp;
&ldquo;It was the first time Craig has been able to find two races in a row for her, and she will only improve off that win,&rdquo; Robertson said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;She is as honest as the day is long, and in Sydney, she had lots of issues with her feet toward the end, and we brought her back here and were able to rehabilitate her again, and Widdo&rsquo;s done a good job with her.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a good bloke, and easy to get on with; and that&rsquo;s why we sent the 2YO (Jarbardar) to him.&nbsp;
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s patient with his horses; they aren&rsquo;t just a number with him and he cares about them, which is important to us.&rdquo; It&rsquo;s been a wonderful period for Scott and Kathy, with youngster&nbsp;Jarbardar&nbsp;continuing the breeding operation&rsquo;s success with their consistent producer&nbsp;Matryoshka&nbsp;(x I Am Invincible), a half-sister to&nbsp;Winning Rupert&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tycoon Evie.
Jarbardar&rsquo;s half-brother&nbsp;Staroshka&nbsp;(x Star Witness), trained by Mark Currie, is a four-time winner from eight starts in Queensland.
His full-brother&nbsp;Straight Charge&nbsp;(x Written By) won the 2024 Silver Slipper and ran sixth in the Golden Slipper for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Jarbardar&nbsp;was passed in at the Magic Millions shy of his $250,000 price tag, while his younger half-brother, a yearling colt by Zoustar, sold at the 2026 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $1.45 million to China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock &amp; Partners.
Jarbardar&nbsp;came out and won impressively on debut at Wagga in a 1000m 2YO Handicap on April 19 before finishing second in town when contesting the 1100m 2YO Handicap at Caulfield on May 9.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s been really good,&rdquo; Robertson said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;You&rsquo;ve just got to back yourself; nobody wanted that horse at the Magic Millions, and we could have sold him for not a lot of money, but you&rsquo;ve got to back your judgement and eye and go from there.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I knew he was a nice horse when he was five weeks old, running around the paddock like an imbecile.&rdquo;
Robertson, who&rsquo;s been more active in the breeding and racing of standardbreds, has enjoyed his recent success in the sport of kings and plans to breed more thoroughbreds moving forward.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We currently breed one or two a year, but we&rsquo;ll produce more in the future,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve bred a combination of six to ten standardbreds a year, and now we&rsquo;re converting more to thoroughbreds.&rdquo;
In the meantime, Robertson is hoping&nbsp;Mahogany Girl&nbsp;can continue her success on the track before she returns to the breeding barn.
&ldquo;This could be her last prep, but that depends on where she gets to,&rdquo; Robertson said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;If she turns out to be a city class mare, we&rsquo;ll keep going, but if not, we&rsquo;ll pull the pin, and she&rsquo;ll go back to stud.&rdquo; Words: Jeff Hanson/Country Punter Image: Kylie Shaw/Trackpix Photography

Broodmare to winner: Mahogany Girl continues remarkable story

Continuing the stable&rsquo;s hot run, the aptly named Deeling Aces delivered Craig Widdison and connections a huge victory at Corowa on Monday.
Ridden by Cory Parish, the 6YO Dundeel mare, out of outstanding producer Stacey Lee, was first-up following a decent spell and raced well before powering to a decisive 1.11 length victory in the 1400m Benchmark 58 Handicap.
&ldquo;She won well; even when she got through the gap, she got held up, then was building and won with her ears pricked and untouched,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;She&rsquo;s a lovely big type and a strong thing that can gallop; she definitely gives the impression she is better than a (Benchmark) 58 horse.&rdquo;
Deeling Aces, a half-sister to the likes of Front Page and News Girl, was picked up by Symon Wilde for $220,000 at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
She hit the ground running in late 2023, winning her first two starts at Bendigo and Terang, but failed to go on with the job, starting another five times without winning.
The current owners, who also bred Deeling Aces, then bought her back for $17,000 via the Inglis Digital platform in October of last year.
Following a good spell, Widdison was given a chance with her, and he&rsquo;s been impressed.
&ldquo;She lives out in a paddock with us, and we keep her happy,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;The boys sold her as a yearling, and Symon Wilde had her at Warrnambool, and they had a fair rap on her, but she didn&rsquo;t seem to come up after those early wins, so the boys ended up getting her back for $17,000.
&ldquo;She had a good break, then went to the water walker before coming here, and she hasn&rsquo;t missed a beat.&rdquo;
Widdison said despite a drift in the betting ($7 to $9.50), there was a lot of confidence Deeling Aces would be hard to beat at Corowa.&rdquo;
&ldquo;She trialled well, and she&rsquo;d been doing everything right at home,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;The biggest concern was her going the NSW way for the first time, but the boys had a go, and she kept drifting; we thought she would go well, and it was good to see her get an early win for the boys.&rdquo;
Widdison isn&rsquo;t thinking too far ahead and wants to see his mare get through Monday's run before planning out the rest of her preparation.
&ldquo;I just wanted her to come through the run and keep her happy,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll try and find the right race, and without starting to set our sights too high.&rdquo;
The Wodonga stable has enjoyed a stellar 2025/26, with Widdison training 21 winners, enjoying success with stable stalwarts and young up-and-coming types.
&ldquo;Having everything racing well is always a good feeling,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;To get a fair few young ones through and hitting the track alongside the winners is good, and even with horses like Fourthtimelucky, who we had to baby through all the way, now come out tougher and coping with everything, makes it all worthwhile after you have taken a bit of time with them.&rdquo;
Much of Widdison&rsquo;s recent success has involved Parish, who&rsquo;s riding in fantastic form.
&ldquo;Cory and I are getting along really well,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;He uses his brain, and he&rsquo;s good to talk to; he&rsquo;s riding really well. &ldquo;
Widdison will now turn his attention to meetings at Albury on Friday and Wodonga on Saturday, with his team chasing more success. Words: Jeff Hanson Image: Kylie Shaw/Trackpix

Widdison goes all in at Corowa

After scoring impressively on debut at Wagga, Jarbardar is Melbourne-bound to run at Caulfield on Saturday.
Racing over 1000m in a 2YO Handicap on April 19, Jarbardar&nbsp;($1.30) lived up to expectations, showcasing a deadly turn of foot before landing an emphatic 3.63-length victory for Jason Lyon.
The 2YO Written By gelding, who&rsquo;s a full brother to 2024 Silver Slipper winner, Straight Charge, is set to line up in the&nbsp;Feed&nbsp;Handicap (1100m)&nbsp;on Saturday, with Lyon keeping the ride.
Widdison had the youngster engaged in the Group 3 David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville but elected to target Melbourne instead.
&ldquo;We accepted in Adelaide but drew 12 of 12, which made it an easy decision for us on where to go,&rdquo; Widdison told Country Punter. 
&ldquo;I do think it is a harder race at Caulfield, but he draws well, the distance suits, and he&rsquo;ll get every chance.&rdquo;
Jarbardar has been the ultimate professional, and Widdison was happy with him heading into the $150,000 event.
&ldquo;I thought he came through the run better than he went into it,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s definitely improved, and race-wise, he hasn&rsquo;t taken a backward step; his work has been good, and he&rsquo;s up and about.&rdquo;
From the draw, Widdison is hoping Jarbardar can take up a positive position.
&ldquo;If he jumps well, he&rsquo;ll roll with them, and if that&rsquo;s not the case and they go a bit too quick, it&rsquo;s no problem for him to take a sit,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s definitely a step up in class and a different level of racing, and he didn&rsquo;t jump that quickly at Wagga but mustered quickly, so it will be interesting to see how he goes.&rdquo;
Saturday&rsquo;s metropolitan assignment will be Jarbardar&rsquo;s grand final as a 2YO, with Widdison keeping one eye on the future.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;ll have a break after this, and I think this run will be a fair indicator of where we are with him,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;Hopefully, we can then target something in the spring.&rdquo; Words: Jeff Hanson

Jarbardar set for metropolitan 2YO assignment

Craig Widdison will have two runners in the $150,000 Gold Bracelet (1400m) at Bendigo on Saturday, with Sister Shay and Mahogany Girl representing the Wodonga stable.
The race is for mares, 4YO and up, and both of Widdison&rsquo;s runners get in nicely, with Sister Shay (Harry Coffey, 56kg) drawing gate 6 and Mahagony Girl (Holly Durnan, 53kg) drawing gate 3.
Sister Shay has been a picture of consistency, starting 13 times and landing four wins and five minor placings.
Last time out, the 4YO Shamus Award mare led them up before running second in the 1400m Benchmark 66 Handicap at Sandown.
&ldquo;She was going to one of the other races, but there were so many in it, and we thought that might generate a bit of speed which would go against her, so we went this way, and it&rsquo;s worked out, and she is well in the market,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;She just needs to get across without working so hard, and we expect her to run well.&rdquo;
Stablemate Mohogany Girl will likely need the run, with the 7YO Mshawish mare second up from a spell.
A four-time winner in 14 starts, formerly trained by Darryll Kell, Mahogany Girl qualified for the 2025 $1 million Provincial Championships final after winning the Hawkesbury qualifier.
Already a mother, having foaled a Peltzer colt in 2023, Mahogany Girl is only lightly raced, and Widdison believes she&rsquo;ll need another run or two under her belt before punters see her best.
&ldquo;She&rsquo;ll strip fitter and probably needs one more run,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;She&rsquo;s quite a big mare and was probably fatter than I thought when she raced first-up, but she has come on heaps, being an older mare and having had a foal, she just needs a little more time.
&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t get me wrong, though, she can run, and we&rsquo;ll see how she goes on Saturday and work out where we go from there.&rdquo;
Widdison&rsquo;s stable has been low flying in 2025/26, bringing up 19 winners.
With four runners across today and tomorrow&rsquo;s Wagga Gold Cup carnival, Widdison has No Ordinary Show, Grey Lad, and Tutto Finiti in action on Thursday, along with Fourthtimelucky on Friday.
Fourthtimelucky takes on the 1300m Benchmark 58 Handicap, and with Cory Parish in the saddle, has drawn nicely with gate one.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s finally drawn a barrier, and the last time he drew a good one, he won,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s been running well without luck from wide gates, so we&rsquo;re pretty positive about his chances.&rdquo;
Following meetings at Wagga and Bendigo, Widdison&lsquo;s attention turns to Wangaratta on Sunday, with Pure Warrior&nbsp;(Cory Parish, 57.5kg) contesting the 1300m Maiden Plate and last-start Deniliquin winner Fleet Destination (Ella Bent, 55.5kg) going around in the 1300m Benchmark 52 Handicap.
Words: Jeff Hanson Image: Racing Photos

Widdison duo to line up in Bendigo Gold Bracelet

Craig Widdison will start up to eight runners across the two-day Albury Gold Cup carnival on Thursday and Friday.
Headlining the team&rsquo;s chances will be stable stalwart The Prodigal Son in Thursday&rsquo;s $75,000 City Handicap (1175m).
Jason Lyon is booked for the ride, and the 6YO will start from gate eight in the feature sprint.
A six-time winner, The Prodigal Son, who claimed victory in the 2024 Wagga Town Plate (1200m), has been taking on tougher events in recent starts at Royal Randwick, Pakenham, and Flemington.
Back to a country feature sprint, the Wodonga galloper will carry some weight (61kg) in what will be an epic race, featuring some very nice horses.
Also on Thursday, Blushing Tycoon (Quayde Krogh, gate 3) and Grey Lad (Ella Bent, gate 17) are set to contest the $50,000 Albury Mile (1600m), although the latter is currently the third emergency.
Last-start Wagga winner Bottas (Cory Parish, gate 7) will be a major player in the $30,000 Class One/Maiden Plate (2000m) and Kiwi Harmony (Cory Parish, gate 13), which opened the early favourite, has drawn a tad awkwardly in the $50,000 Super Maiden Handicap (1400m).
On Friday, the stable has three potential runners, and leading off their chances is last-start Albury winner Justenuffsplash (Quayde Krogh, gate 1), which resumes from a spell in the Class Two Handicap (1000m).
After back-to-back trial wins at Wangaratta and Albury last month, Tutto Finito (Jason Lyon, gate 15) will likely line up in the $50,000 Super Maiden Plate (1175m) despite drawing wide.
Rounding out a big two days will be Fourthtimelucky (Cassidy Hill, gate 14) in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1175).
To keep up to date with results over the two days, stay tuned to the Widdison Racing socials.
Also, there is a chance to join the Widdison Racing team, who have purchased the lovely Inglis Race Series-nominated Jacquinot x Madonnica filly.
From a winning dam line, Madonnica has produced two-time winner Cashbook ($160,350) and three-time winner Battle Abbey ($125,080).
Bred to be fast and eligible for rich Inglis bonuses, Craig, Kelly and the team are looking forward to the youngster arriving.
To get involved
0418551180
widdo4@hotmail.com Words: Jeff Hanson Image: Border Mail Sport
&nbsp;

Widdison gearing up for busy Albury carnival

The well-named Bottas, named after co-owner and F1 driver Valtteri Bottas, landed a win that would make the Cadillac driver proud as punch.
A timely result as Valtteri Bottas gears up for Sunday&rsquo;s Australian Grand Prix, the Craig Widdison-trained Bottas, known fondly as &lsquo;VB&rsquo;, stormed down the outside for Cory Parish when triumphing in the 1600m Class One/Maiden Plate at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club.
Well-supported from 25/1 to 9/1, the 3YO Tagaloa gelding landed a popular result on Wagga&rsquo;s big SDRA Championships Qualifier meeting.
Valtteri Bottas, who&rsquo;s in Adelaide in the lead-up to Sunday&rsquo;s F1 opening round race at Melbourne&rsquo;s Albert Park Circuit, still found time to celebrate the victory on social media.
&ldquo;First one of many! Well done to everyone involved,&rdquo; he wrote on Craig Widdison&rsquo;s Instagram post.
For Widdison, it was a good result for a galloper that he has a lot of time for.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always had a big rap on him,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;I actually backed him at his first start over 1200m as he works well enough and his trials were good enough, but he gets to race day, and he&rsquo;s a bit dour,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;Over a bit more ground and with blinkers on, we knew he was going to be better suited, but we still thought he needed a bit further.
&ldquo;It was a good win from that position, as he probably wasn&rsquo;t entitled to win, but once he got clear air, he attacked the line.&rdquo;
Widdison praised Parish for having Bottas primed for a strong finish.
&ldquo;He is a big horse, and to pick himself up that close to the post, it was a good effort,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;Cory being on him and knowing him well helped, as he never panicked, and had him on the bit and travelling when they found that clear air.&rdquo;
Next up, Bottas will race at Albury over their carnival.
&ldquo;There is a 2000m Class One showcase during the Albury carnival, and we&rsquo;ll go there with him,&rdquo; Widdison said.
It&rsquo;s been a good period for the Wodonga stable, who landed a victory at Albury on Monday with Needawinna&nbsp;(Ella Bent) too good in the 1000m Maiden Handicap.
This Saturday, the stable&rsquo;s attention turns to Towong and Corowa, with Grey Lad and Blushing Tycoon nominated for both the Towong and Corowa Cups, along with a variety of other chances in accompanying races.
&nbsp;
Words/Image: Jeff Hanson

Bottas drives to victory at Wagga

Second up, following a 14-month break between racing, the well-named Needawinna scored a good victory at Albury on Monday.
Well-ridden by apprentice Ella Bent, the pair raced just behind the early leaders after jumping well from gate one in the 1000m Maiden Handicap.
Bent then opted for the rails run on Needawinna ($7.50), finding the front and holding on for victory by 0.7 of a length from the red-hot favourite Initiate ($2.15).
The 5YO Trust In A Gust mare was second-up after a first-up fifth at Holbrook in an 800m Maiden Plate on February 14, and Widdison said she had come on nicely following the run.
&ldquo;It was the right race for her, and she obviously improved after that run at Holbrook, even though it wasn&rsquo;t the strongest company,&rdquo; Widdison said.
Bent, who&rsquo;s indentured to Ron Stubbs in NSW, is riding in fabulous form, having won five of her past 20, and Widdison praised the youngster for yet another good ride.
&ldquo;She&rsquo;s got great hands and a great attitude,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;Every day, she comes over and rides three before she goes back to Albury.&rdquo;
It was also a great result for connections, Ross and Brett Holburt, with Needawinna, who started her career in Queensland with the John Smerdon stable at the Gold Coast, running placings at the Gold Coast and Ballina before a decent stint.
Widdison was pleased to land a well-overdue victory for the pair.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve known them for a long time, and they are nice people, and they breed nice horses,&rdquo; Widdison said.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s good to see them win with her.&rdquo;
For Widdison, he nearly had two winners on the Albury program, with Fourthtimelucky (Brendan Ward, $6) running well in the 1175m Benchmark 66 Handicap.
The 4YO Prized Icon gelding found the front but was overtaken late, only beaten a long neck when running third.
Widdison will travel to Wagga on Saturday for the Murrumbidgee Turf Club&rsquo;s massive Country Championships program.
The stable has Bottas and Lecraigdiway entered in the 1600m Class One and Maiden Plate, and Eyewhykaywhykay, Lecraigdiway, and Kiwi Harmony in the 1400m Maiden Plate. Words/Image: Jeff Hanson

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Victorian continues to make a splash across the border

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