Theresa Bateup had ‘flown under the radar’ leading into The Gong day, knowing she’d spent months preparing Monegal.
Her plan paid off in style on Saturday, with Brock Ryan swooping late to claim the Benchmark 78 (1400m).
It was Monegal’s third win from six starts first-up as she relished being back on top of the ground, edging out Bjorn Baker’s Night Of Power, with $2.70 favourite Greek Hero (Richard and Michael Freedman) third.
A thrilling finish in the last @kemblaraces as the locals deny J-Mac his fifth win of the day and Monegal get the nose in front for Theresa Bateup and Brock Ryan pic.twitter.com/yuYGQ190ew
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 21, 2020
It came after Golly I’m Lucky ran on for fifth for Bateup behind Mo’s Crown in a 1200m colts, geldings and entires Benchmark 78.
Golly
I’m Lucky was an eye-catcher after being back in the field and peeling
off wide in the straight to charge to the post, 2.3 lengths off the
winner.
“(Monegal’s) been set for this race for the last four months,” Bateup told Sky Racing. “She’s flown under the radar all week, everything has gone to plan. Same as Golly I’m Lucky, we couldn’t have had her in any better order.
“… To win a Saturday race on your home track, year, it’s very special.”
The Robert and Luke Price-trained
Cuban Royale missed out after looming to win as they let down in the
straight, fading late to finishing fourth.
Racing NSW stewards adjourned an inquiry into Nash Rawiller’s ride on beaten favourite Greek Hero at Kembla Grange after giving the jockey a grilling.
Our little superstar Monegal wins the last on Gong day 🏆🌟🐎 https://t.co/eYZYJMVPjv
— Theresa Bateup Racing (@BateupTheresa) November 22, 2020
Rawiller’s effort aboard the Richard and Michael Freedman-trained galloper was put under the microscope after he got back to last and never threatened, despite making late ground for third.
Most speed maps had the $2.70 favourite enjoying a gun run behind the speed.
Stewards told Rawiller the ride lacked his usual vigour at a crucial stage of the race.
“That’s not Nash Rawiller at his best there inside the 300 (metres),” chief stipe Marc Van Gestel said.
“You appear to have clear running. Why don’t we see you at your top?”
Rawiller argued Greek Hero was hanging in badly and he was trying to balance him up before going full throttle.
“If I was to run your last 10 rides that would be one of the least urgent moves I’ve seen Nash Rawiller make,” presiding steward Wade Birch added.
– Tim Barrow
Originally published: https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/7023053/bateups-monegal-went-under-the-radar-in-the-gong-day-success/