The reason why Brad Widdup is currently Hawkesbury’s leading trainer is simple – he knows exactly how to keep his horses happy.
And this even includes the at-times moody and quirky Icebath.
It was Widdup who did not hesitate in backing up the six-year-old mare from a disappointing ninth in The Invitation to run in the Empire Rose Stakes a week later.
And what a great judgment call that was, at long last his stable star bringing up her first Group 1 victory.
READ: Icebath wins first Group 1 in Empire Rose Stakes
It was also Widdup’s maiden and well-deserved win at that level, happening at Flemington back on October 29.
His trackwork rider and assistant foreman Rosie Jilla was there for the occasion.
And she could not hold back her joy because of everything Icebath – and her colleagues – went through to achieve the milestone.
Recalling Icebath’s half-length triumph as the highlight of another very impressive year for the Widdup team still brings a smile to Jilla’s face.
“I’m so happy it was her who got that first Group 1,” she told HorseBetting.com.au.
“She’s been a fantastic consistent mare throughout her entire career.
“That made it really special. You watch all her runs and she always runs superbly.
“Even her last run, her sectionals were really good in The Invitation.
“She just missed the kick, and that was the only problem.”
Even after notching up her first Group 1 victory, Icebath had a little mood swing, forcing champion jockey Craig Williams to dismount and jog back to the mounting yard.
“She’s a bit of a lady and she’s got her mannerisms, and we saw that on display,” Williams said after the race.
2022 Empire Rose Stakes race replay – Icebath (1st)
Widdup knows full well how difficult his star mare can be at times.
He said it was “a character-building drive” back to Hawkesbury after her ninth place in the $2 million Invitation, the $4.60 favourite leaving punters miffed after saluting in the feature last year.
“I was so disappointed with what happened in The Invitation when she lost all chance at the jump,” Widdup said after the race.
“I wasn’t sure which way to go with her, and whether to wait a fortnight and run her in the Champions Mile at Flemington.
“But when she quickly bounced out of The Invitation so well and knowing how she has proven in the past she can back up in a week, I decided to go ahead and send her to Melbourne against her own sex.”
Jilla could only sit back and applaud that courageous call from her boss.
“Good on Brad and his training effort for doing what he did backing her up,” she said.
“A lot of people probably wouldn’t have done that.
“She pulled up superb from The Invitation, so why not?
“And she runs well on a back-up.”
Like Williams, Jilla said the key to managing Icebath was remaining calm and even having a chuckle at her unique mannerisms.
“She does give me a hard time. But I know the horse really well,” she said with a smile.
“I’ve been riding her since she was a yearling, and I’ve been involved with her from the very start.
“So it makes my job a lot easier the fact that I know her quirks really well.
“I think if you didn’t, you’d be in a bit of trouble.
“But that’s the key to her – she knows me and I know her, and we’ve had a good relationship.”
Jilla said Icebath would likely follow the same Doncaster Mile path of the past two years in the hope of another breakthrough victory in that event, where she finished third this year and second last year.
“I’m not sure with what Brad’s plans are. I haven’t spoken to him about that, but she’ll probably kick off end of February most likely over 1400 again,” she said.
“I know there are a couple of options there. But we’ll be going back on the path to the Doncaster.”
Jilla said there was no doubt Widdup’s calm nature has had a continual positive effect on Icebath, who now has a respectable $5.2 million in prizemoney to her name.
“I’ve been working for Brad since day one. So obviously, I really enjoy it,” she said of the conditioner, who enjoyed 63 wins last season.
“The way he trains his horses at Hawkesbury – all our horses are so well-handled and relaxed, and really happy.
“And I think that’s the main reason why we get a lot of good results.
“There are so many people who come to the stables and say ‘I can’t believe how nice, happy and relaxed all your horses are’.
“And for me, I think that’s a massive thing.”
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