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By John Curtis

Hawkesbury's leading trainer Brad Widdup is on track to crack a half century of winners for the season.

Widdup made it 40 for the season when up-and-comer Global Ausbred burst into city racing with an impressive performance at Canterbury Park on Wednesday.

Having only his fifth start and third this preparation, the Maurice three-year-old gave a sign of better things to come when he made the transition from a provincial maiden to a midweek city victory.

Global Ausbred ($10), ridden by Willie Pike, overcame an awkward draw in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1550m) and, once he rolled to the front at the 900m, was never going to be overhauled.

He had two and a half lengths to spare at the finish over Caboteur ($9.50), with Chateaux Park ($21) coming from well back to grab third placing.

Global Ausbred impressively won a 1500m Maiden Plate at the Kembla Grange meeting held at Goulburn on April 2, and Widdup was confident he was ready to tackle city company.

“I also had him in at Newcastle on Thursday, but felt today’s race wasn’t any stronger and opted to give him his chance in town,” Widdup said.

He was especially pleased to get a city victory for Global Ausbred’s owners Chris and Lyn Lawlor, of Animal Health Products fame.

“Chris and Lyn are not only fantastic owners to train for, but are great supporters of a number of Hawkesbury trainers,” he said. “As well as myself, they have horses with Ed Cummings and Blake Ryan and also had horses with Noel Mayfield-Smith when he was here and still support him at his Coffs Harbour base.

“The Lawlors also had horses for many years with Wade Slinkard when he trained at Hawkesbury.”

Widdup has done a superb job with well-bred Global Ausbred, not rushing him early when he had growing pains. Now as a late three-year-old, he is starting to realise his potential and his trainer is confident he will handle longer distances than today’s 1550m.

“He is a big, strong colt and getting out and rolling along today really suited him,” Widdup said. “I’ll have to look at the programs and decide which way to head to the Queensland Derby with him. Things are going well and it would be nice to get 50 winners for the season.”

Meanwhile, Icebath has been sent for a spell following her third under 59kg topweight in last Saturday’s Group 3 JRA Plate at Royal Randwick at her first attempt at 2000m.

“I certainly wasn’t disappointed with her performance,” Widdup said. “The way the race was run suited all the way winner Polly Grey, but our mare needed more pressure.

“I haven’t dismissed her running 2000m next season. She pulled up great and has gone out in good order. I’ll have her back by June 1 to get ready for the spring.”