Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup brought up his second Saturday metropolitan winner in as many weeks when Vulpine ($10) led all the way to win the $140,000 listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill last weekend. 
The mare got away to a quick start, which enabled jockey Jay Ford to get across from barrier eight, take up the lead and dictate the pace from thre. 
In the straight he was able to grab what proved to be a winning break, with the mare holding on to win by three-quarters of a length from Dream Circle, who finished strongly, with favourite Tambo’s Mate a further length and a half away in third spot. 
“She takes about five or six runs to come right each preparation,” Widdup said. “Last time she won a stakes race at her 10th run. 
“It’s just how it works out, it’s not my planning. 
“We put winkers on her today and it definitely helped. 
“This is a valuable win for her. She’s by Snitzel and has won a couple of stakes races now, so the pricetag keeps going up.”
 Widdup went on to say the mare will have her next start in the listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday week. 
“It’s the natural progression for her. She’s a Magic Millions horse so there’s no reason to stop. I’ll keep punching on now.”
Testator too tough
Four-year-old Braidwood gelding Testator Silens went on his winning way at the Rosehill meeting, bringing up his third win from just four starts in taking out the TAB Highway Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill. 
It was an impressive win given the problems the $5.50 chance encountered. He lost a shoe on the way to the barrier, then missed the start and was left back in the field, where he overraced and struck trouble in running. 
Despite the setbacks, jockey Jean Van Overmeire was able to get his mount into clear space in the straight and charge home to claim King’s Trust just before the post and score by a half-neck, with Shenandoah a tiring third. 
“As soon as I saw him get carried away and pull the shoe I was worried,” said trainer Luke Clarke. 
“Then after 100 metres of the race I was ready to walk back to the tie-up stalls. I didn’t think he could win with what happened and where he was in the run but he’s pretty good. 
“He’s big, raw and strong and he’s tough.”
Van Overmeire added: “He didn’t have a lot go his way and he did a really good job to win.” 
Testator Silens will now be set for the Nowra heat of the 2022 Country Championships. 
Sepulchre stunner
Kembla Grange galloper Sepulchre caused a boilover when he took out Saturday’s 2000-metre Midway Handicap at odds of $26. 
Jockey Rachel King quickly had the seven-year-old settled just off the pace, where she enjoyed an easy run. 
Approaching the 250-metre mark, King sooled the mare to the front and swiftly put paid to her rivals, drawing away to win by 2¼ lengths from the favourite, Rebel Rama, with Viren a long neck away in third place. 
“She’s just a magnificent mare,” said trainer Joseph Ible. “That’s her seventh win for us and she just keeps showing up. 
“She was a query on a heavy 10 but Rachel rode her an absolute treat and she was just where I wanted to see her in the run. 
“She travelled up and ate up the conditions. I was pleased from the 800 metres as she looked comfortable in the race and I was just waiting for that gap to come so she could get off the rail. She put them away with authority.” 
King was also impressed.
“She travelled really well — a couple of times I thought a bit too well — but it’s nice to ride a horse with confidence like that on this sort of track. 
“As she’s got older she’s developed a liking for it. I still think she’s progressing and got more Saturday wins in her.”
It was an impressive training effort by Ible to have the mare ready for a 2000-metre race second up under such conditions.
Grand day for Lees
Last Sunday’s Newcastle meeting saw the Newcastle Jockey Club’s four official Legends — jockey Robert Thompson, trainers Paul Perry and Kris Lees and media man Gary Harley — honoured for their contributions to local racing with a race named after each. 
The main race on the program, a Class 5 heat of the Summer Provincial Series over 1500 metres, was won by the Lees-trained Grande Rumore ($4.80). 
The mare won by nearly two lengths from the favourite, Saquon, with Greek Hero a short head away in third place. 
At Grafton the same day, jockey Luke Rolls took riding honours with a winning treble.
Keagan’s coming back
Last season’s premier NSW provincial jockey, Keagan Latham, is hopeful of returning to race riding within a fortnight. 
Latham, who rode 101 winners last season from 675 rides, sustained fractures to his neck, back and collarbone in a race fall at Hawkesbury in August.
Cups aplenty
Today (Friday) sees the Mudgee Cup Showcase meeting, featuring the cup over 1600 metres and the 1200-metre, Cup Day Sprint. 
Saturday, the 1600-metre Snowy Hydro Cup will be the main race at the Cooma meeting. 
On Sunday, Nowra holds its Showcase cup meeting with the feature over 1600 metres. 
On the same day at Hawkesbury the main race will be heat four of the Summer Provincial Series, a Class 5 handicap over 1500 metres.       
Big fields will be the order of the day at many of these meetings after heavy rains over most of NSW forced the abandonment of the Muswellbrook meeting last Friday and meetings at Kembla Grange, Wagga, Kempsey and Gilgandra the following today.