We finished 2025 on a winning note when Nights Inferno showed tremendous tenacity to get the bickies at Sapphire Coast on the 29th of December.
Night did a bit of work to go forward to lead and was then eyeballed throughout by the second horse. But our boy showed great fight in the straight and, under the urgings of Amy McLucas, stuck his head out on the line to record his third career victory and first since recently joining our stable.
It was a memorable day for many of the owners involved, as Night was their first-ever winner. Part-owner Corey Hammond had an even more memorable day with the birth of his daughter, Ava Lily, only hours prior to the race!
Night has improved with each start for the stable and can go on to win better races on that effort.
It was a bookend of winners at Sapphire Coast with Lady Yarrow breaking through for her Maiden victory there on the 1st December.
Sebastian’s Flyer continues to race consistently and went close to breaking through at Queanbeyan over 2000m when he finished a close second.
On the same day, Liamena Avenue also ran a very close second. Leo has shown a liking for the Queanbeyan track with two very good performances there this preparation.
Master Riley was very gallant, finishing 4th in the Nowra Cup when stuck on the inferior inside section of the track. He heads to the Moruya Cup on the 5thJanuary along with stable mate, Direct Fire.
Mr Fabulous was also a very good effort when finishing 4th at Randwick on the 20th December in a Benchmark 78 over 2400m and Star of Kyeema showed massive improvement with the blinkers on when finishing 4th at Sapphire Coast over 1400m on the 29th December.
We hope that everyone had a great Christmas and that 2026 brings good health, success and joy to all. A huge thank you to everyone for their support throughout the year and we look forward to sharing many more good times and successes in 2026.
Don’t forget to check out the updates on our website and social media platforms.
Bega Cup Carnival
January is a very busy month, kicking off with the Moruya Cup meeting on the 5th January and culminating in our favourite carnival at Sapphire Coast on the 31st January and 1st February.
We will once again be sponsoring races on each day and will have our owners marquee set up for those that attend the carnival.
It’s a busy weekend with the Trainers Expo on the Friday afternoon at Club Sapphire. Following Saturday’s races we head back to Club Sapphire for The Bega Cup Calcutta and after Sunday’s races we round off the weekend with dinner at the Lakeview Hotel. This year’s special quest at the Bega Cup Carnival is champion jockey Damien Oliver.
It’s always a great weekend and if you are attending the races, please come and join us. No pre bookings required.
Racing Reports Night’s Inferno It has taken a couple of starts to work Night out, however he has shown improvement with each start.
At Goulburn on the 19th December, he put in a good effort over 1200m. Although he finished 6th, he was only beaten 2 lengths in a race with a bit of depth to it.
Night then lined up at Sapphire Coast on the 29th December, again in a 1200m Class 3. Drawing wide, he began fairly but pushed forward and found the front on the fence. He wasn’t given much peace with the eventual second horse eyeballing him the whole way. These two staged a head to head duel the whole length of the straight but Night found plenty for Amy McLucas. Whilst looking beaten on a number of occasions, he dug deep to stick his head out on the line.
Night is an absolute gem to have in the stables and has such a cruisy laid back persona. I was very proud of his efforts at Sapphire Coast. He should take a lot of confidence out of that effort and be competitive again when he next lines up.
Lady Yarrow. Following her well overdue win at Sapphire Coast, Harriet enjoyed a little over 3 weeks in the paddock and has just returned to the stables. She appreciated a break and is likely to be back at the races at the end of the month.
Liamena Avenue returned to Queanbeyan on the 18th December and dropped back to 1200m. Leo began well, taking the trail behind a good speed. He set out after the leader and eventual winner in the straight and tried very hard. However, he couldn’t quite reel in the winner and finished second, beating the rest easily. Leo then lined up in a small field at Sapphire Coast over 1400m and whilst getting a nice time in front, probably doesn’t run out a strong 1400m. He’ll be better suited coming back slightly in distance.
Master Riley had no luck in a Midway at Rosehill over 1500m on the 7thDecember. From a wide barrier, he pushed on to lead which is not his go.
Riley then lined up in the Nowra Cup over 1600m on the 14th December. He finally drew a decent barrier only to find that the the inside section of the track was far inferior. Even so, he gave a great sight to finish 4th. Riley will now contest the Moruya Cup over 1425m on Monday 5th January where he has drawn nicely in barrier 4. He can run a cheeky race again.
Mr Fabulous was a bit plain on the 3rd December in a Benchmark 72 over 2400m. He got a lovely run in transit but just battled away. Mr Fab then stepped up in grade at Randwick on the 29th December, again over 2400m. With the blinkers back on, he ran a bold race at huge odds to finish 4th. He has enjoyed a week in the paddock over Christmas and is likely to line up at Kembla on the 10th January over 2400m.
Direct Fire was first up after a freshen up in the Narooma Cup at Moruya on the 21st December where he was held up in the early part of the straight and never really found clear running. Not beaten far, Drake will take good improvement out of the run and lines up in the Moruya Cup over 1425m on the 5th January. He has been set a task to emulate his half-sister, Crackalacka, drawing barrier 15. However if he doesn’t have to do too much work early, he can still run a bold race.
Sebastian’s Flyer Mr consistent almost broke through at Queanbeyan on the 18th December over 2000m. In a very muddling run race, Jordan tried very hard and was only denied by 0.26 of a length. He was again very honest at Sapphire Coast when finishing 5th, dropping back to 1600m.
Star of Kyeema ended up in a small field at Beaumont on the 13th December. Landing in front, Emmy travelled nicely but was outsprinted in the straight and was still learning how to really let down. With the addition of blinkers, Emmy lined up at Sapphire Coast over 1400m and pushed forward to lead. Having to do a little bit of work to find the front, Emmy travelled well once she got there and gave a great sight in the straight, only getting tired late to finish 4th. Emmy will continue to improve with racing and has a great attitude.
Pretty Please put in honest efforts at Canberra on the 5th and Queanbeyan on the 18th December where she was only beaten a length and a half in a muddling run race. Peggy has since enjoyed a week in the paddock and is now back in the stables. She will return to the races this month.
Hussy La Vista followed her good 3rd at Sapphire Coast over 1200m with an honest effort over 1400m at Nowra on the 14th December. Hussy travelled nicely in the run but was put off balance when brushed rounding the home turn. She was also on the inferior section of the track on the inside rail. Hussy is now enjoying a break and will return to the stables later in the month.
Elle Tee made her race debut at Moruya on the 21st December in a Super Maiden over 1300m and handled the day quite well. She got a bit lost in the race but will take a lot of improvement from the outing. She is also going to be better suited once she gets out over a distance.
Tartana will resume at Moruya on the 5th January in the Moruya Town Plate over 1200m. Drawing barrier 1, Dolly will get a nice run in transit and is capable of running a bold race first up.
Rubilace will resume at Moruya on the 5th January in a Super Maiden over 1200m following one jump out. Anna has drawn soft and if she gets cover and settles can run a nice race. However, she will improve off the run.
Victory at Omaha has had a jump out and will resume at Kembla Grange on the 10th January over 1400m before heading to a Benchmark 66 over 1400m on the first day of the Bega Cup carnival.
Flying Gabbi has been retired following a slight tendon injury. We are still trying to find a home for Gabbi so if you know anyone that may be interested please let me know.
Kickamushu does not want to play racehorse anymore and has shown a poor attitude at her past couple of starts. Mushu will now be listed on the next online sale.
Trialling/Jumpouts this month
6th January Trials: Yes Arnie; Brundee Tom; London Star; Edorado; Kitty Okay; Lindos; Sablonneuse; Frosted Armour
19th January Jumpouts: “Turtle” the Anders x Murtle Miss g.
Pace Work
North Star Miss; Grey Axe; “Willow” the Wild Ruler x Ollagua f; Landmark Lady; “Nikita” the D’Argento x Lagarde f; “Curly” the Extreme Warrior g; Secret Love
Back in Work/Pre-Training
Mercy Rule; Bikini Babe; El Poppi; Sir Sublime; Farsain; Hunter One
Heading into Work/Pre-Training this month:
Final Spirit; Starsonus; “Petey” the Peltzer x Tupelo Express g; “Dot” the Written By x Vintage Valley f; Master Johnny; Tombo Ahi; “Reiby” the Invader x Reiby Rainbow g.
Spelling
The following horses are enjoying their time in the spelling paddock:
“Robert” the Your Song x Ma Ma I Love You g; Prized Alwyns; Super One x Can Dream g; Coral Cove; “Trixie” the Sandbar x Simply Delightful f; “Charlotte” the Sandbar x Rose of Scarlet f; “Tango” the Written By x Two To Tango f; Zarkov.
Horses Available
On our website are ownership opportunities we currently have available.
For details, including videos, contact me at theresa.bateup@bigpond.com or ring me to discuss on 0418 428 219.