Emerging sprinter Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel) is taking his career to new heights this autumn and winter, adding a third win to his five-start campaign with a dominant performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Schweppes Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill.
The New Zealand-bred son of Savabeel began this preparation with three wins and four placings to his name from nine career starts, and his rating stood at 71. He resumed with a Benchmark 72 win on the Kensington track on ANZAC Day, followed by a second at Scone, a win in Benchmark 88 company at Canterbury and a last-start second at Randwick on July 6.
Jedibeel delivered again in Saturday’s open sprint, improving his career record to 14 starts for six wins, six placings and A$358,650.
Jedibeel and jockey Tyler Schiller settled in midfield on Saturday before pouncing in the straight and quickly taking command. The four-year-old asserted his superiority and drew away to win by two and a quarter lengths, clocking 1:04.78 for 1100m.
Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup admits that Jedibeel’s sprinting prowess has taken him somewhat by surprise. However, the gelding is closely related to Waikato Stud’s sprinting superstar I Wish I Win (NZ) – also by champion stallion Savabeel – whose seven wins include the Gr.1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) and Gr.1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m).
“I bought this horse to run 2000m,” Widdup said. “But after his first prep I said to Mike (Gregg, owner) I didn’t think he would run 1200m.
“We did a genetic test on him and he came back as a sprinter. That made us focus on sprinting with the horse and it has helped a lot.
“I think he is just starting to find his feet as a horse. We gelded him this time in and he has been faultless. It was great to see him win today, he was dominant.
“He still does a lot wrong, he got into a skirmish at the top of the straight and wanted to lay in a bit, but he is starting to put them away now.”
Widdup intends to continue raising the bar with Jedibeel next season.
“I will probably give him a break now,” he said. “In December there is the Razor Sharp (Listed, 1200m) or something like that, which could suit him. I haven’t ruled out 1200m. If he goes up in grade with a genuine speed, it will help him.
“He is starting to get there and I would like to try him at 1200m again. He is going to be pretty fair horse.”
Jedibeel was bred by Waikato Stud and is out of their unraced O’Reilly mare Starry (NZ). Jedibeel is one of five winners from six foals to race out of Starry – a group that also includes the Dunstan Feeds Stayers’ Championship (2400m) winner and multiple Group Three placegetter Starrybeel (NZ) (Savabeel).
But despite being a full-brother to that genuine stayer, there is also no shortage of speed in Jedibeel’s pedigree. Starry is a half-sister to the Listed Widden Stakes (1000m) winner Delta Girl (NZ) (General Nediym), and their dam Etoile Centieme (NZ) (Danasinga) is a half-sister to the dam of I Wish I Win.
Waikato Stud offered Jedibeel during the National Weanling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus in 2020, where he was bought for $35,000 by Dengaroka Lodge in New South Wales. Jedibeel was later purchased by Widdup as a yearling in Australia.
Since Jedibeel was born in the spring of 2019, Starry has foaled fillies by Waikato Stud stallions Tivaci and Noverre. She returned to Noverre again last spring.
