Trainer Brad Widdup has confirmed that last year’s A$2 million The Invitation (1400m) winner Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls) is being readied for a defence of her crown after connections accepted their place in the fillies and mares feature run at Randwick on October 22.
Widdup has set a similar path to last campaign for the six-year-old, with the daughter of Sacred Falls set to tackle the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) three weeks before coming back to the 1400m trip of The Invitation.
“I’ve got the blueprint there for her for the race this year. It makes it a hell of a lot easier,” Widdup told RacingNSW.
“The options are two weeks into the Tibbie [Stakes at Newcastle] or three weeks to the Golden Pendant then back up into the Epsom.
“There was a bit of discussion about the George Main but I’m not sure I want to take on Anamoe and Zaaki. Even if it was wet, why stuff yourself up there when there’s a $2 million race in front of her.”
Widdup purchased the Waikato Stud-bred filly in Australia as a yearling for $100,000.
