Heathcote will target more black type with Bidii Babe
Jim Byrne’s confidence was transformed in to a Saturday win when Bidii Babe gave the in-form jockey his second stakes win of the day.
Byrne rode Bidii Babe track work on Tuesday morning and declared to trainer Robert Heathcote she could be hard to beat in the Listed Bright Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Doomben.
It turned out he was spot on when Biddi Babe ($9.50) charged home to beat the favourite Untamed Diamond ($3.60) by a half neck.
Heathcote will now target more black type mares races for the four-year-old, including the Group Two Dane Ripper Stakes on June 10 and possibly the Group One Tatts Tiara on June 24.
“She trialled really well for her comeback but just peaked when fourth in the Silk Stocking at the Gold Coast two weeks ago,” Heathcote said.
“But she has tightened up since then and in hindsight I probably should have given her another trial before that run.
“I am really pleased for her owners Neil and Ange Duncan who are my biggest individual owners.
“They deserve to have a black type winning mare like Bidii Babe.”
Byrne had earlier won the Listed Chief de Beers Stakes on The Virginian, which followed his win last week in the Group One Doomben 10,000.
“I would have liked something to take me into the race a bit further and I ended having to wait until the 200m,” Byrne said.
“I was worried she wouldn’t accelerate quickly enough but fortunately she was able to.”
Photo by Darren Winningham (horseracingonly.com.au)
