Theresa Bateup will travel to Moruya on Monday, with a strong team of runners contesting the feature races on the South East program.
In a two-pronged attack, 2025 Bega Cup winner Direct Fire (Amy McLucas, 54.5kg) and recent Nowra Cup competitor Master Riley (Jess Taylor, 54kg) take on the $75,000 Moruya Cup (1425m).
With Big Dance eligibility on the line, a good field will converge for Moruya’s biggest race of the season, but the Kembla Grange-trained pair can both make strong claims.
Direct Fire is a four-time winner and, and at his best, can win the event, but he has drawn awkwardly in gate 12.
Master Riley, drawn more favourably in gate four, has been racing well after a recent fourth-place in the Nowra Cup, where he finished just two lengths off recent Royal Randwick placegetter, Rolling Magic.
Arguably, the stable’s best chance on the program is Tartana (Jess Taylor, 55kg) in the $50,000 Moruya Town Plate (1200m).
The 6YO Invader mare is a four-time winner boasting strong metropolitan and provincial form.
Having a good first-up record (5: 1-3-0), connections will be hoping Tartana can race well fresh from the inside gate.
Also representing Bateup is Rubilace (Jess Taylor, 57.5kg) in the $50,000 Super Maiden Handicap (1200m).
The 5YO Rubick mare has been consistent during her past two preparations, starting 11 times for four placings, including a close-fought second in a Super Maiden at Warwick Farm.
This is a great starting point for Rubilace, who should be in for a huge preparation for connections.
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