Brad Widdup rarely knocks back horses on offer to him.
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As a provincial trainer, it's simply not economical to pick and choose which runners he wants in his stable.
But if he was to choose a horse to train, Authentic Jewel would be near the top of the list.
A former Chris Waller horse, the two-year-old ran fourth in October's Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes. When offered the chance to train the filly earlier this year, Widdup jumped at it.
Authentic Jewel was set to turn out for her second run with the trainer at Thursday's Kembla Grange meeting before she drew the car park.
The filly is entered in a 1000-metres two-year-old maiden plate, the race featuring multiple talented runners.
Peter and Paul Snowden's Bullpen is the present $3.40 TAB favourite, the gelding's last run coming in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes, while Jean Dubois' Girl Mania also has black-type experience.
The wide barrier has given Widdup cause for pause, but he's confident the filly will challenge for victory if he sends her around.
"I'm not in a situation where I can knock back horses," Widdup said. "I take what I can get and hopefully do a good job. These owners have been good to me and it's nice to get their support.
"Authentic Jewel will be a nice filly in time, she has good ability. She'll get back to the city, she just needs to learn to race. Keeping her to 1000 should teach her not to be so keen and to relax a bit better.
"I think she's better suited to the 1000, there will be a bit more speed, she'll be able to relax. The only concern is she has drawn awkward. I'm not sure if she'll run on Thursday, I'll have to speak to the owners."
Thursday's meeting is a six-race event, Gwenda Markwell entering six runners as she continues the chase for her 1000th career winner.
The chance of rain should boost Burning Need's hopes of taking out a 1200m maiden handicap, the four-year-old running second on a heavy track last month.
Markwell will also saddle up Arimathea and C'mon Reg in the race, the trainer confident Arimathea will enjoy the step up from a 900m race in Newcastle last start.