Jarbardar lived up to expectations at Wagga’s Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Sunday, landing an emphatic victory in the 2YO Handicap (1000m).
Entering the race following an eye-catching four-length trial win at Corowa on March 7, Jason Lyon was in the saddle at Wagga, and punters were right behind the debutant, backing him into a red-hot $1.30 favourite.
It was an easy watch for everyone involved, with the youngster settling comfortably in front before showcasing a devastating turn of foot and high cruising speed.
Lyon ended up easing Jarbardar to the line despite the winner putting 3.63 lengths on his rivals.
For Widdison, it was simply a relief to see Jarbardar showcase his ability on race day.
“What he has shown us in jumpouts and at the trials, they don’t go much better, but you want to see them do it on race day,” Widdison said.
“It probably was a nice kick off point, being a small feed, and that we didn’t have to travel far, as he is a bit of an excitable lad.
“So, to be able to take him to Wagga and get a result, it’s great for everyone, and he’ll now come on in leaps and bounds from that.”
What impressed Widdison the most was the nature of Jarbardar’s victory, with the 2YO settling in front before going on with the job.
“Every time he has gone through the barriers, he’s improved, and for him to get to the lead like that was good,” Widdison said.
“When Jason asked him to come back, he did it nicely, and if anything, he came back to them a bit too much, but it was good to see him doing everything right.”
Widdison has trained some very nice horses, including The Prodigal Son, Star Rolling, and Willi Willi, but suggested Jarbardar had the potential to be the best of the lot.
“The things he’s done, he could be the best horse I’ve ever had,” Widdison said.
“Just that trial at Corowa, and for him to do what he did at where he was at, and then to see him win that way, it was impressive.
“On raw ability, I don’t think anything I’ve had has gone as well as him.”
Bred and raced by Scott and Kathy Robertson, Widdison will now consider another run for Jarbardar, or spelling him ahead of 3YO feature races in the spring.
“Scott just said he would leave it up to me, and we’ll see how he pulls up,” Widdison said.
“We’ll see if we can get another run out of him, or whether we will stop and bring him back for the spring.
“He’s bright and pretty happy this morning, and after the race, you wouldn’t have known he had gone around; he pulled up like it was nothing.”
There will no doubt be a lot of interest in the talented gelding, with his dam, Matryoshka (x I Am Invincible), a half-sister to Winning Rupert and Tycoon Evie, and a proven producer, with three foals to race and win.
Jarbardar’s half-brother Staroshka (x Star Witness), trained by Mark Currie, is a four-time winner from eight starts in Queensland.
His full-brother Straight Charge (x Written By) won the 2024 Silver Slipper and ran sixth in the Golden Slipper for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Jarbardar was passed in at the Magic Millions shy of his $250,000 price tag, while his younger half-brother, a yearling colt by Zoustar, sold at the 2026 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $1.45million to China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock & Partners.
