Racing
Widdup colt a Jack out of the box
Nashville Jack will be out to stake his carnival claims when he resumes at Randwick.
Brad Widdup has a healthy opinion of Nashville Jack but says it is up to the colt to do the talking on the track if he is to progress to the carnival races.
The rising three-year-old returns in the Keenland September Yearling Sale Handicap (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday and if he can perform to expectations, a return to stakes company is on the cards.
"You always hold your breath and hope that's right but you never know until you produce them and they come back," Widdup said.
"Fingers crossed he can be a nice horse for us."
Nashville Jack made a promising start to his racing career with a fourth to Beiwacht in the Silver Slippers (1100m) and a fifth behind King Of Pop in the Black Opal Stakes (1200m).
Widdup said his performance in the latter was particularly meritorious given he had a mid-race wardrobe malfunction.
"His run was better than everyone knows in the Black Opal. He had a shoe slip back and he came in after the race and it was half in his foot and half out," Widdup said.
"He did a good job to finish as close as he did."
A son of 2020 Golden Slipper winner Farnan, Nashville Jack has won both trials leading into Saturday and Widdup believes he has the attitude and physicality to continue to develop into a handy three-year-old.
He has drawn well in gate two with in-form hoop Jason Collett booked to ride and while he will improve on whatever he does, Widdup expects him to be in the finish.
"He's a big, strong fellow and he's very straightforward," Widdup said.
"He is still learning. He has only had two starts but he is pretty bombproof.
"There is obviously improvement but he's a nice athletic horse."
The Randwick race shapes as a good test with his rivals headed by Pierro Plate winner Shaggy and emerging filly Nazwah for Peter Snowden.
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