Jedibeel reroutes to Shorts after setback

[Wandering Eyes]

Running Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel) first-up in the Gr.2 The Shorts (1100m) has never been Plan A for trainer Brad Widdup but after missing a scheduled start in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) due to a setback, he is resigned to pitting his charge against some of the country’s best sprinters.

A key lead-up race to The Everest (1200m) on October 18, The Shorts is also being targeted by Gr.1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) winner Briasa (Smart Missile), who has been trialling superbly, along with the likes of Joliestar (Zoustar), Private Harry (Harry Angel) and Headwall (Dream Ahead).

Jedibeel was scratched from the Concorde Stakes last week due to a light ankle strain and Widdup felt next weekend’s The Shorts (1100m) shaped as an even stiffer target.

“Very hard race,” Widdup said.

“That is why it was very frustrating not to be able to run him last week. I’m not saying he would have won that race, but he drew well and it looked a good race for him.

“This race is going to be ten times harder. We are under no illusions there but we have to kick him off somewhere and I’d rather stay at home in Sydney, get him going and then we can work it out from there.”

Jedibeel was given a solo exhibition gallop between races at Rosehill on Saturday by jockey Kerrin Mcevoy, who will partner him in The Shorts.

Widdup described it as a “tick over gallop” and said it was preferable to taking the gelding back to the trials off a setback.

“We wanted to get him away from home and just do a little bit of work,” he said.

“It was a nice little hit-out today. I will probably need to do a little bit more during the week and then hopefully he can acquit himself well next week.”

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