“Kerrin knew what was underneath him. Everyone was saying dry tracks and all that,” Widdup said. “I’ve always dismissed it, it’s just getting the right run. I was pretty happy to see Entriviere go forward and do that.”

As Icebath charged away, it was a relief for Widdup after the frustration of always finding one better. While the past year had been rewarding financially, nothing beats winning.

“We have been so close but we have got a trophy, now we have one of these,” owner John McGrath said holding the silverware.

Widdup always knew he had a good one in Icebath, he just wanted to make her a winner. He can look to make her a group 1 winner in next week’s Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington.

“She deserves it. It’s great to see, it has been a long wait, not only me but for the owners and staff. Everyone is a part of it and it’s great to see,” Widdup said.

“I can’t do anything about the weather, that’s one thing I can’t do. But she has been great.

“The whole preparation she’s been flying and I’ve been trying to keep a lid on it.

“I thought we were in for a good performance today if we could get the right run. Finally. It has been the story of her career and even early on in her two-year-old career, she was very unlucky there in a couple of those good races, and it’s just fantastic to see her get a reward today.”

Sam Clipperton fleetingly thought he was the winner but was proud of Rocha Clock.

“She’s gone super and has been beaten by a genuine group 1 mare,” Clipperton said.
Entriviere was brave to hold on for fourth after going forward and making the speed.

“She just got caught wide. She was just about to slot in and the pace came out of the race. I was deep and going keen so I let her stride on. To run the 1400m she needs to get cover,” Berry said.

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