Theresa Bateup doesn’t shy away from a trip to ensure the best placement of her horses, but she is looking forward to a drive around the corner when she saddles four runners at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
Landmark Lady is the first into battle, combining with regular jockey Jess Taylor in the Mitch Sleigh No Longer Man Boy Midway Maiden Plate 1600m. A 16-start maiden, Theresa says she is better than her form suggests.
“While her record doesn’t read too flash, she is an honest mare who has never been too far away,” Theresa said.
“Every rider gets off and says she is close to winning and we know she will do it.”
Two starts ago at Newcastle she nearly pinched a midway maiden over 1890m but in her most recent race at the same track against a more competitive field she burnt too much energy up front and faded in the final 200m.
“She is better with a bit of a sit on them,” Theresa said.
“She has some nice sectionals in front but prefers having something to chase. She has drawn barrier one for Saturday and that should suit her.”
Theresa has opted to send talented filly Hunter One into the ABAX Civil Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap 1200m rather than pitting her against promising stablemate Starsonus in the Tori Darke Class 1 Handicap 1200m.
The Justify filly has notched a win and two places in her four career starts but may have been a class 2 horse by now had she not been crowded on the rail in her most recent race on Wagga Town Plate Day.
“Amy (McLucas) thought she could have won that race, but the horse was reluctant to go through the gap,” Theresa said.
“She needs some galloping room to get into a nice rhythm and let down.”
From barrier five Theresa would like to see Hunter One take up a forward position and make the most of Kembla Grange’s long straight.
“Amy knows her well and will get her comfortable,” Theresa said.
“She is a touch out of her grade but will improve as she matures and is learning with every start.”
Starsonus (Amy McLucas) will have his first start for the stable in the Tori Darke Class 1 Handicap 1200m. He’s had nearly a year off and undergone a throat operation during that time but heads into the race off a solid trial last week where he finished strongly with Ciaron Maher’s Margin Call.
“He is a lovely big happy horse and will take a lot of improvement out of Saturday,” Theresa said.
“Drawing out is not a bad thing for him as he will appreciate the galloping room. He’s done everything right at home and we are looking forward to getting him to the races.”
Brannum (Jess Taylor) lines up in the Nathan Lamont Benchmark 64 Handicap 1500m but is also nominated for Queanbeyan on Sunday. The four-year-old Yes Yes Yes gelding placed in his first three races for the stable after being transferred from Lucy Longmire but was disappointing for eighth in a midway benchmark 64 handicap over 1900m a fortnight ago.
“It was a strong race, and he didn’t settle in front,” Theresa said.
“He overdid it and didn’t leave much in the tank to finish. I was happy with his run in March when he finished second to Kitty Okay.”
Kembla Grange stages its popular Country Music Raceday this Saturday with live performances by Tori Darke, Nathan Lamont, and Scarlett Gee.
While Theresa hasn’t decided if she will dress in theme, she has committed to challenging last year’s reigning endurance riders, fellow trainer Luke Price and jockey Brock Ryan, on the mechanical bull.