Emerging sprinter Jedibeel is taking his career to new heights this autumn and winter, adding a third win to his five-start campaign with a dominant performance at Rosehill.
The New Zealand-bred son of Savabeel began this preparation with three wins and four placings to his name from nine career starts, and his rating stood at 71. He resumed with a Benchmark 72 win on the Kensington track on ANZAC Day, followed by a second at Scone, a win in Benchmark 88 company at Canterbury and a last-start second at Randwick on July 6.
Jedibeel delivered again in Saturday’s open sprint, improving his career record to 14 starts for six wins, six placings and $358,650.
Jedibeel and jockey Tyler Schiller settled in midfield on Saturday before pouncing in the straight and quickly taking command. The four-year-old asserted his superiority and drew away to win by two and a quarter lengths, clocking 1:04.78 for 1100m.
Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup admits that Jedibeel’s sprinting prowess has taken him somewhat by surprise. However, the gelding is closely related to Waikato Stud’s sprinting superstar I Wish I Win – also by champion stallion Savabeel – whose seven wins include the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m).
“I bought this horse to run 2000m,” Widdup said. “But after his first prep I said to Mike (Gregg, owner) I didn’t think he would run 1200m.
“We did a genetic test on him and he came back as a sprinter. That made us focus on sprinting with the horse and it has helped a lot.
“I think he is just starting to find his feet as a horse. We gelded him this time in and he has been faultless. It was great to see him win today, he was dominant.
“He still does a lot wrong, he got into a skirmish at the top of the straight and wanted to lay in a bit, but he is starting to put them away now.”
Widdup intends to continue raising the bar with Jedibeel next season.
“I will probably give him a break now,” he said. “In December there is the Razor Sharp (Listed, 1200m) or something like that, which could suit him. I haven’t ruled out 1200m. If he goes up in grade with a genuine speed, it will help him.
“He is starting to get there and I would like to try him at 1200m again. He is going to be pretty fair horse.”
Horse racing news
