THERESA Bateup won one of two South Coast Cups last year during the holiday season.
Now the Kembla Grange trainer is hoping to win both this time – with the same horse again.
And both races carry eligibility toward the $3m Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick in November.
Crackalacka begins her campaign on Monday in the $75,000 Moruya Showcase Cup (1425m) as she attempts to defend her “title”., then will head to the $80,000 Bega Showcase Cup (1600m) at the Sapphire Coast on February 4.
Apprentice Molly Bourke won last year’s Moruya Cup on the mare at $26, and rides her again this year.
However, she has outridden her country allowance, and will not be able to claim.
Crackalacka carried only 52.5kg in her 2023 victory over To The Nines and Toretto, and goes up to 57kg.
The six-year-old mare earned a start in last year’s The Big Dance, but finished down the track behind Wyong gelding Attractable.
However, she was backing up only three days after contesting the Four Pillars (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens.
“Crackalacka had a short break after the Randwick race, and is in good order for another crack at the Moruya Cup,” Bateup said.
“She had a quiet 820m barrier trial at home on December 18 (the winner Either Oar scored first-up over 1100m at Royal Randwick on December 30 for fellow Kembla Grange trainer Ross McConville).”
A $6000 Magic Millions National Yearling sale buy in 2019 for Australian Bloodstock, Crackalacka began her career with leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, and broke through in a 1400m Mudgee Maiden Handicap in April, 2021.
She was sold soon afterwards for $9000 through Inglis Digital and joined Bateup, who won three races in a row (two at the Sapphire Coast and another at Moruya) with her when she resumed racing later in the year.
Crackalacka has started three times at Moruya for two wins (including the Cup 12 months ago) and a fourth in the Narooma Cup (1300m) in December, 2022.
This year’s Moruya Cup has a near capacity field of 13, and has drawn five provincial acceptors (four of them from Kembla Grange).
Rob and Luke Price have Randwick Midway Handicap winner Satness (Brock Ryan) and Extreme Freedom (Robbie Downey), and Paul Murray has Winning Point (Jean Van Overmeire).
Satness beat Extreme Freedom in a 900m trial at Nowra on New Year’s Eve on a heavy track.
Lemaire, who has raced consistently without winning in town at all four starts this campaign, is the other provincial representative for Hawkesbury husband and wife trainers Phil and Tara Vigouroux, and will be ridden by Jess Taylor.
Story John Curtis, January 7, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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