The winner’s tally continued to rise in April, with Hunter One and Bikini Babe breaking through for their Maiden wins
Hunter One lined up in a 1000m Maiden at Moruya on the 4th April and was dominant in winning by 2.3 lengths.
“Justine” then went on to run very good races at Sapphire Coast, where she found the line strongly to finish 2nd in a Class 2, and then at Wagga during the carnival, when she stepped up to 1200m and ran a solid 3rd.
Bikini Babe showed a lot of courage at her first race start when driving through a narrow gap on the fence to win.
This was a special win for us as we raced BB’s mother, Titaness (who won four races).
We retained Titaness as a broodmare and bred her to Sandbar on the advice of Kooringal Stud.
Bikini Babe adds to the list of Sandbar’s winners, including stablemates Sablonneuse and Brundee Tom.
We also have some more nice progeny by this sire coming through the stable. Not only that, we have a full sister to Bikini Babe who is about to head to the breakers.
Landmark Lady went within a nose of notching her first win at Newcastle on the 11th April over 1850m.
Sir Sublime has been racing consistently and was excellent when sitting behind the leaders at Canberra and finishing strongly to run 2nd. He also added a third placing at Nowra.
Brannum added a further two 3rd placings at Canberra and Muswellbrook, whilst Yes Arnie produced a great effort finishing 3rd at Kembla Grange, and Brundee Tom also added another 3rd placing at Canberra.
We came home from the Inglis HTBA Sale with some great new additions to the stable:
- Sandbar / Lagarde filly
- Bruckner / Champion Parade colt
- Profiteer/ Red Heeler filly
- Jacquinot / Clemency colt who is available for lease.
These yearlings are all at the breakers, and there are still opportunities to join the team in racing them. See ownership opportunities below.
We now head into a slightly quieter month on the racing front with a lot of the racing team heading for a break and the next batch coming through trials and jump outs.
We also have a lot of young horses in the stable at the moment. A few of the older horses will return to the stables over the next month, having enjoyed some time in the paddock.
We have now teamed up with Fan Fave so everyone can now purchase their own Bateup Racing merchandise, including shirts, vests, jackets, hoodies, beanies and stubby coolers.
You can even personalise your merchandise with your favourite horse’s name! Check out the range available and make your orders on the Fan Fave website: https://www.fanfave.com.au/collections/bateup-racing.
Don’t forget to check out our updates on our website and social media platforms courtesy of Dusty Hooves Media.
Racing Reports
Hunter One returned to the races at Moruya on the 4th April in a 1000m Maiden. Settling behind the leaders, Justine took an inside run to join the leader, clicked into gear and drew away for a decisive victory.
She then went straight to a Class 2 at Sapphire Coast over 1000m in what was quite a deep race. This time she settled well back in the field but hit the line hard once she balanced to finish 2nd.
Justine then stepped up to 1200m at Wagga on the 30th April, again in a strong line-up. From the inside barrier, she settled behind the leaders. Although there was a gap on the fence in the straight, she wouldn’t quite take it but still kept trying to finish 3rd. Justine has plenty of natural ability and will only improve as she continues to learn her race craft.
Bikini Babe made the best possible race debut at Sapphire Coat on the 13thApril. Settling back in the field, BB drove through a narrow gap up the fence in the straight to draw to victory. It was a tenacious effort by an inexperienced horse, and she will only continue to improve. At Wagga on the 30th April BB settled back and wide from a wide barrier. She was shunted even wider in the straight and got a bit lost, but will be back in the winner’s circle soon.
Sir Sublime continues to race consistently and has only been out of the first 5 once this preparation. At Nowra on the 5th April, Stubby was brave in the heavy conditions, finishing 3rd, then produced an excellent effort at Canberra, coming from behind the leaders to finish 2nd. Stubby added another 4th placing at Sapphire Coast in a high-pressure race where he was out of his comfort zone but kept battling away.
Landmark Lady almost knocked off her Maiden status with an excellent effort at Newcastle on the 11th April. Pisa chased hard in the straight and just couldn’t quite get past the winner going down in a photo finish. Pisa has not had much luck in her career, but has shown us she has the ability to win races. Hopefully, a win is not too far away.
Yes Arnie continues to improve with each start and produced a great effort at Kembla on the 18th April. Stepping up to 1300m, Arnie led and then fought on bravely to finish 3rd, beaten 0.6 of a length. He then lined up at Sapphire Coast and was left in front a long way out. Even so he tried hard and just went down in a photo to finish 2nd. A win is not far away for Arnie. It has been a great effort by the team just to get him back to the races after a significant injury as a 2yo. His owners have been extremely patient.
Brannum stepped up to 1600m at Canberra for the first time and gave a great sight. Taking up the lead, Noodle gave a good kick into the straight and battled on gamely to finish 3rd. He then stepped up to 1750m at Muswellbrook and again performed solidly to finish 3rd.
Brundee Tom delivered another very honest performance at Canberra on the 3rd April, finishing 3rd over 2000m, beaten a length. Tommy had come to the end of his preparation when lining up next start at Gosford and is now enjoying a spell.
Sablonneuse headed to the Wagga Guineas Prelude on the 19th April, following a short freshen up, and put in a good performance finishing just behind the placegetters over 1400m after having to do some work early. Freddie then delivered a fantastic performance in the Guineas itself. Going back to last from the outside barrier, he pinched runs up the inside and hit the line strongly to finish 4th. Freddie may now step up to 1800m at Randwick on the 23rd May.
Kitty Okay has gone for a spell following a slightly below average performance at Kembla in Benchmark 68 grade over 1300m, although she was still not disgraced and beaten only 3.6 lengths. Kitty had a great preparation with 2 dominant wins and a city 2nd placing from 5 starts. She will return stronger again next preparation.
London Star was slightly outclassed at Hawkesbury on the 14th April. She then lined up in the Queen of the South at Wagga over 1400m on the 1st May, and whilst officially finishing 9th, she put in a great effort. Missing the start, London settled at the back of the field and came widest in the straight, making up great ground under 60kg to be hitting the line strongly beaten only 2.6 lengths. London may now head to Moruya on the 11th May.
Farsain stepped up to metro grade and was far from disgraced when finishing 5th and beaten just over 2.5 lengths. Fairy was then a bit plain at Kembla on a firm track, but will bounce back on a track with a bit of give in it.
Lantau Island hit the line solidly under 61.5kg at Sapphire Coast to finish 4th over 1200m. Lenny was then fair at Newcastle when finishing down the track, but is another that will appreciate some give in the track and dropping back to country grade.
North Star Miss stepped up to 1400m at Hawkesbury, but wanted to do a few things wrong during the race. Priscilla is still maturing and has now gone for a spell. She will come back better next preparation.
Edorado has run 4th at his past 2 starts at Canberra and Gosford over 2100m and 2000m, respectively. Eddie is now enjoying a spell and will mature further with this break.
Grey Axe had his first start at Sapphire Coast on the 3rd May and whilst he tries, he doesn’t have the makings of a racehorse and has been retired.
Tombo Ahi has been retired with a slight tendon issue. We are still looking for a home for Alby. She has a great nature and would make a lovely riding horse with some time off. Alternatively, she comes from a prolific winning family, is a nice type, and has the sort of pedigree that could see her succeed as a broodmare. Please contact Theresa if you know anyone who may be interested in taking her.
Trials & Trackwork
Trialling/Jumpouts this month
– 6th May Trials:.Starsonus; Tupelo Express; Master Johnny; Prized Alwyns; Hussy La Vista.
– 12th May Jumpouts: “Pumpkin” the Street Boss x Mali Rose f; “Jed” the Sandbar x Jevilla c; “Bella” the Sandbar x Pretty Bella f; “Fiona” the Prized Icon x I Love Pho f; Final Spirit; Dartanu.
– 25th May Jumpouts: “Persia” the Prized Icon x Persia f; The Munster.
Pace Work: “Dot” the Written By x Vintage Valley f; “Trixi” the Sandbar x Simply Delightful f; “Venus” the Captivant x Planet’s Princess f; El Poppi; “Reiby” the Invader x Reiby Rainbow g; Coral Cove; “Tango” the Written By x Two to Tango f.
Back in Work/Pre-Training: “Robert” the Your Song x Ma Ma I Love You g; “Nature” the Super One x Can Dream g; Star of Kyeema; Elle Tee; Secret Love; “Willow” the Wild Ruler x Ollagua f; Forsted Amour; Rubilace.
In Pre-Training: Direct Fire; Tartana; Mr. Fabulous
Heading Into Work/Pre-Training this month: Liamena Avenue; Master Riley; Night’s Inferno; “Nikita” the Extreme Warrior g; “Curty” the D’Argento x Lagarde g.
At The Breakers: King’s Legacy x Hard to Find c; Spirit of Boom x Thuwaany f ( will go to breaker later this month).
Newcomers this month
Autumn Flyer is a 3yo gelding by The Autumn Sun out of Mali Rose. “Humphrey” has had 2 trials but is unraced.
Hallsville, an unraced Godolphin-bred filly by Impending, has arrived at the stables this week. She has had a couple of jump-outs and returns from a spell. Lease opportunities are available.
Four new yearlings from the HTBA Sale , who all commenced breaking in on the 22nd April:
- Sandbar x Lagarde filly
- Bruckner x Champion Parade colt
- Profiteer x Red Heeler filly
- Jacquinot x Clemency colt..
Brutal x All Too Rio yearling colt. This boy is from a prolific stakes-winning family. Ownership opportunities are available.
Spelling: The following horses are enjoying their time in the spelling paddock:
Mercy Rule; “Charlotte” the Sandbar x Rose of Scarlet f; “Cora” the Sandbar x Chorus of Angels f; Lindos; Lady Yarrow; Eltrum.
Horses Available: For details on ownership opportunities, including videos, contact Theresa at theresa.bateup@bigpond.com or ring to discuss on 0418 428 219.