Brad Widdup holds two jockey options in reserve for Jedibeel ahead of this Saturday’s Group 1 The Galaxy, with the choice resting on the weight the quick horse receives.
Rosehill’s 1100-metre handicap weights for the feature appear Tuesday, prompting Widdup to finalize the rider post-announcement.
“Depending on the weight, we’ve got Tommy (Berry) booked, or Alysha (Collett), so we’ve got two bites at the cherry there with jockeys,” Widdup said.
“Hopefully he can draw a gate, and we’ll go from there.”
Jedibeel joins 25 nominations for the $1 million The Galaxy, up against rivals including star grey Briasa, Generosity the Challenge Stakes winner, Beadman and Grafterburners.
Running second-up in The Galaxy, Jedibeel was fourth last start from a wide gate in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 21.
He featured in entries for Rosehill’s Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) Saturday, but Widdup saved him for the flagship event.
“I ‘ummed and ahhed’ about running (in the Maurice McCarten), but I thought, we’re going to get into the Galaxy with an OK weight,” he said.
“I had a good think about it, and we don’t have to run him all the time. We just have to pick the right races.”
Jedibeel placed ninth to Private Harry in The Galaxy a year prior, hindered by an outer draw in a race suited to leaders.
Post that, his highlight became a photo-finish runner-up to Libertad in the Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm in May, backed by eight triumphs and proven ability at Rosehill’s 1100m.
Saturday brought Widdup victory at Rosehill courtesy of Audrey’s Lane dominating the Midway Handicap (1200m), positioning her for a Provincial-Midway Championships slot at Randwick in April pending the Wyong qualifier March 28.
Widdup pondered the March 14 Gosford heat for the half-sister to 2014 Golden Slipper winner Mossfun but selected Rosehill for her initial run.
“We’ll look at Wyong,” Widdup said.
“I had her in at Gosford, I just didn’t think it was the right track, but the way she went (at Rosehill), it might have been.
“But we’ll take this. She is a well-bred mare and it’s great to see her win.”
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