Theresa Bateup landed her 20th win of season 2025/26, and incredibly, her 13th win of the year when Bikini Babe triumphed on debut at the Sapphire Coast on Monday.
Ridden by Jess Taylor, the 3YO Sandbar filly took on a strong 1205m Maiden Handicap and raced a tad worse than midfield after commencing from gate five.
Taylor was then able to find the rails, and the flashy filly did the rest, continuing a strong run along the inside before blowing her rivals away.
Bateup has enjoyed a good association with Sandbar progeny (Sablonneuse and Brundee Tom), and with Bikini Babe out of four-time winner, Titaness (x Pluck), who she also trained; it was a full circle moment for everyone involved.
“She’s fast and flashy. I’m so proud; that’s my little baby,” Bateup said post-race in an interview with Sky Racing’s Kayla Nisbet.
“She’s got such a great attitude, and I’ve got a lot of these Sandbars. I love them as a breed; they are just so trainable, and they have brilliant brains about them, and they have a bit of ability
“Plus, I raced her mum, Titaness, and she won races down here and ran fourth in a Bega Cup.”
Bateup is hoping Bikini Babe can go through the grades for connections.
“Jess had trialled her for me, and she was really impressed with her attitude,” Bateup said.
“She is only going to continue to get better, but it was a nice way to start her career.”
Bikini Babe’s success follows on from Hunter One’s first-up win at Moruya on April 4.
The 3YO Justify filly out of Tails Wins had Amy McLucas in the saddle as she powered to a comfortable 2.3 lengths victory in the 1010m Maiden Plate.
Hunter One followed that effort up with a good second in the 1005m Class Two Handicap at the Sapphire Coast on Monday.
With 13 wins in 2026, including four victories during a successful month of March, Bateup will look to continue the good form at Canberra on Friday, Royal Randwick and Kembla Grange on Saturday, Wagga on Sunday, and Muswellbrook on Monday.
Words: Jeff Hanson/Country Punter
Image: Bradley Photos