One of racing’s most dynamic duo’s will head north, instead of their usual trip south, lured by the possibility of a tilt at a $3 million race now just 18 days away.
Trainer Theresa Bateup and jockey Jess Taylor combine for the 988th time when the ‘stable bargain’ Mr Fabulous steps out in the $100,000 Taree Cup (2000m) which comes with the added bonus of Big Dance Eligibility.
“It wasn’t entirely on the agenda, we were probably sort of looking at going to Warwick Farm next Wednesday and then I was just looking at the diary and saw the Taree Cup,” Bateup said.
“There were few better ones (horses) in the noms but at acceptance time, it dropped away a bit, and he’s come up with a nice gate.”
Taree’s town feature will be Taylor’s second consecutive ride aboard the blue-blooded Mr Fabulous.
They first combined for an eye-catching fourth on the Kensington track nine days ago when nudging up along the fence late in the 1800m Benchmark 72.
Mr Fabulous has covered plenty of territory both on and off the track.
He was born in Scone, sold in Sydney (for a whopping $750,000) and spent most of his career racing in Victoria.
His most notable runs for previous trainer Ciaron Maher were a pair of seconds at The Valley and a third in the annual Jericho Cup staged over a gruelling 4600m.
“He is such a relaxed horse in a race that I can see how he gets out to the 3200 metres and the 4600 metres but at the same time, I don’t think he needs those distances and the problem is, once you get them up to those distances, you run out of options very quickly,” Bateup said.
Mr Fabulous’ exorbitant price-tag can be attributed to his epic pedigree and physical resemblance to his famous father, Pierro.
“He is a lovely horse,” Bateup said.
“He has got a few little quirks to him, he doesn’t like to be fussed over but he is a lovely looking individual.”
Mr Fabulous is a half-brother to stakes winners Emeralds and Fours Moves Ahead and from the same family as the previous Aga Khan’s two European Horse of the Year, siblings Daylami and Dalakhani.
The Taree Cup is the last of the country track opportunities to book a berth at Randwick come the first Tuesday in November.
Royal Randwick will host the last of all available chances to make the field, Saturday, when the Big Dance Wild Card is run.
Words: Shayne O’Cass – Racenet
Images: Bradley Photos