Internal Affairs closing in on breakthough win for Widdup

Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup is banking on class to prevail when promising colt Internal Affairs resumes from a spell at Gosford on Thursday.

Widdup has Internal Affairs, a two-year-old colt by Coolmore Stud Stakes winning stallion Home Affairs, set to contest the Kincumber Broadwater Walking Group 2YO Maiden Plate (1100m) with Kerrin McEvoy taking the ride.

Internal Affairs ran fourth on debut at Rosehill last November behind subsequent Inglis Millennium and Champagne Stakes winner Fireball and followed that up with a second placing in the Inglis Nursery at Randwick in December behind Where’s The Circus.

“Internal Affairs is a lovely colt that showed us plenty in his only two race starts,” said Widdup.

“He led them up on debut and was beaten less than two lengths by Fireball. He went on to win a Group 1 in the autumn and has won more than $2 million.

“His second start in the Nursery was good as well and he had a nice break after that.

“We’ve given him two trials in preparation for his return to racing and he’s performed well in each of them. Kerrin [McEvoy] was on in both trials and he’s sticking for the Gosford event.

“The heavy track first-up isn’t ideal but all indications are he’ll handle it.”

Widdup will have two runners in the Forresters Beach Retirement Village Social Group 3YO Maiden Handicap (1200m) with Mind Ya Bizz to be ridden by Tommy Berry and stablemate Yeszem being partnered by Alysha Collett.

“Mind Ya Bizz is a talented filly with the three placings from five starts and she ran home well late when she resumed with a second at Hawkesbury the other day,” Widdup said.

“She’ll be better for that run but has to overcome a wide gate.

“Yeszem resumed on the same day as Mind Ya Bizz and finished fourth. She’s been placed a couple of times and should run well.”

Widdup has one other runner at Gosford in the shape of Satono Jasmine (Chad Schofield) in the Dennis Bournes Memorial Provincial Maiden Plate (1600m).

“She ran well at Wyong at her latest start and is heading in the right direction,” said Widdup.