Acqume confirms promise for Widdup stable

Blinkers have turned Aonair into a winner with the filly scoring at Warwick Farm under Hugh Bowman.

Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup is cautiously plotting Acqume’s return clash with Godolphin star Alizee after his promising filly recorded back-to-back wins at Warwick Farm.

Acqume was third on debut at Warwick Farm behind Alizee and Songlife last month.

But while Alizee stepped and held her own at stakes level at her next two starts, Widdup has taken a conservative path with Acqume.

“We had a crack at Alizee first up then I had a rethink and took her back in grade,” Widdup said.

“I’ve always had at the back of my mind that she’s not too far away.

“She’s a beautiful filly, her work’s definitely up to that sort of (black-type) grade, but you don’t want to throw them in the deep end too early.”

However, Widdup said the step up to Listed or Group company during spring would be a logical progression for the Sepoy filly.

“We’ll get her home and have a look at her. She’s definitely going the right way.”

Acqume opened her account at Gosford over 1200m on August 17 and complemented that run with a 2-1/4 length victory as a $5 chance in Wednesday’s TAB Rewards Handicap over the same trip.

Legal Girl, a $91 outsider was second and Bella Success ($31) filled the minor placing 1-1/4 lengths further back.

Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller was also looking to the future for three-year-old filly Aonair after she claimed her maiden over 1400m.

“I think she’s a talented filly, she’s really progressive,” Waller said.

Aonair ($7) improved on two third placings in her previous starts, with Waller crediting the addition of blinkers for the first time.

“She’s a different horse. As soon as those barriers opened she could have even led if she wanted to.

“Hughie (Bowman) did the right thing and didn’t change her racing pattern, he got her to come back and she was three wide but had a beautiful sit with cover,” Waller said.

Aonair skipped clear from the 100 to beat Cuba, the $3.80 favourite, by 1-1/4 lengths. Chosen Assassin ($19) was a neck adrift in third.

“She’ll keep going and hopefully get through to something better,” Waller said.