Brad Widdup is banking on a combination of race experience and a favourable draw to help Internal Affairs break through for his first win in the Listed Inglis Nursery at Randwick.
A $440,000 purchase, the son of Home Affairs is the second-highest priced yearling lining up in Saturday’s 1000m feature, behind the $1.2 million colt Vatican, who makes his debut in the race.
Internal Affairs was brave when finishing fourth to Fireball on debut last month, forced to work early from a wide gate before sticking on well late.
Widdup gave the youngster every opportunity to show he needed the paddock, but when the two-year-old continued to thrive, the Hawkesbury trainer elected to push ahead to this target.
“I thought, do I tip him out or just tick him over for this race to see how he comes through? He has come through really well, so it was a bit of a no-brainer to go around,” Widdup said.
“It’s good prizemoney, not a big field. He has well and truly got enough ability.”
Internal Affairs has drawn barrier three and, with his natural speed, Widdup expects he will position himself prominently. However, he would like to see jockey Tom Sherry find cover.
With six of the eleven runners being first starters, Widdup is hopeful Internal Affairs’ race experience proves an advantage.
“He is a pretty straightforward animal. He would have learned a lot the other day,” Widdup said.
“Unless you get something out of the box that is very good, race experience always helps.”
Widdup will also saddle last-start winner Hyperbolic in the In Memory of Sam Kavanagh Handicap (1600m) and believes she is ready to continue progressing.
“We have been very patient with her, and now she is at this age, she should be cherry-ripe to go through her grades,” he said.
“She’s a nice mare and I’m more than hopeful that she can go on with it.”
The four-year-old has won four of her twelve starts, and jockey Tommy Berry remains aboard after guiding her to victory at Rosehill last month.
For the latest odds and betting options on the Inglis Nursery, compare Australia’s leading bookmakers at this betting sites guide.
