Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup will head to Saturday week’s Provincial/Midweek Championships qualifier at Wyong with Audrey’s Lane after the lightly raced mare’s impressive first-up win at Rosehill last Saturday.
Alysha Collett sent Audrey’s Lane ($5) straight to the front in the benchmark 72 Midway Handicap (1200m) and from there she never looked in danger of defeat, going on to win by a length from Everyone’s A Star. 
“I had her in (the Provincial/Midway qualifier) at Gosford today, but I didn’t think the track would suit her,” Widdup said. “The way she went today though, maybe I was wrong. 
“She did a really good job. There were a few boxes that she kicked today. 
“First up over that distance, I didn’t plan on her leading. (But) I wanted Alysha to be positive on her … I wanted her to have a good hitout because her next start is a target race.
“She’s always been a big mare but she lacked a bit of strength. She didn’t have the full package but she’s come back a more furnished racehorse this time.”
For her part, Collett said Audrey’s Lane herself had dictated the tactical tweak.
“She was in a good rhythm and she doesn’t like being told what to do, so I just let her be and she did the rest,” she said. 
The win capped a good 24 hours for Widdup, as he’d won the 1600-metre benchmark 64 Midway at the Kembla Grange meeting the previous day with $2.70 favourite Sneaky Choice, ridden by Tommy Berry. 
Fem gets the bob in
At that meeting, the feature Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) for three-year-old fillies produced a thrilling three-way photo finish, the Waterhouse/Bott-trained Feminino ($12) winning by a short head from $101 chance Burn The Sky, with Profoundly a long head away in third. Tim Clark was the winning rider.
Earlier, the 1200-metre, “Bert” Lillye Memorial Handicap saw local galloper Well Timed ($8.50), trained by Kerry Parker and ridden by Nash Rawiller, win by a short head from favourite Monte Kate. 
Another local trainer to enjoy success was Joseph Ible, who took out the 1400-metre maiden, with $4.40 equal  favourite Cabbucio, ridden by Jean Van Overmeire. 
The same afternoon saw the $60,000 Armidale Cup (1400m) fall to Newcastle galloper Uzziah, trained by Scott Aspery and ridden by Kirk Matheson.
Uzziah ($6.50) recorded an impressive 2¾-length win over Mystery Lad.
Robb delivers one-two
On Sunday, it was the Dubbo Turf Club’s turn to conduct a Showcase meeting and it was a resounding success. At a time when most country meetings range from six to eight races, the Dubbo club gambled on a nine-race program and was suitably rewarded with a sparkling day’s action.
The feature $150,000 WRA Country Championship Qualifier (1400m) saw the Brett Robb-trained local mare Poisen Point ($4.60), with apprentice Izzy Neale in the saddle, score a long neck win over stablemate Micro Mikki. 
Earlier, the $50,000 Super Maiden (1100m) saw the well supported Sir Herridah ($3.60) score by a length for Scone trainer Scott Singleton, with Mathew Cahill aboard. Odds-on favourite Hanuman finished fifth. 
Chad Lever fared best of the jockeys at Dubbo with a winning double. 
At Grafton the same afternoon, Murwillumbah trainer Matthew Dunn led in a winning treble, while Ballina-based Stephen Lee landed a double. 
In the third race, the 1175-metre benchmark 82, the Dunn-trained Poseidon’s Son started at $1.50 and recorded his fourth consecutive win. The winner was ridden, as he had been in his previous win, by three-kilo claiming apprentice Liberty Smyth. 
Andrew Mallyon took riding honours with two winners, both for Dunn.
Fab Friday
This Friday sees the Showcase spotlight swing down to the mighty Murray for the running of the $200,000 Albury Gold Cup (2000m). 
The main supporting races on what promises to be an excellent afternoon of racing will be the $80,000 Albury Guineas (1400m) the $75,000 Flat Knacker (900m) and a $50,000 Super Maiden (1175m). 
On a cracking Friday afternoon of racing, there’s also feature action in the Hunter, with the $150,000 Country Championship Wild Card (1400m) at Scone, with a $50,0000 Super Maiden over 1000 metres in support. 
Saturday is cup day at Narrabri on the North West Slopes, with the Narrabri Cup over 1200 metres and the Wee Waa Cup over 1500 metres. 
The same afternoon, at the “Home of the Kelpie” in the state’s south, Ardlethan Picnic Racing Club hosts its annual six-race card, highlighted by the running of the 1600-metre Ardlethan Cup.