KEMBLA Grange trainer Theresa Bateup is hoping to play “giant killer” when the ninth Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championship begins at her home track on Thursday.
But she is banking on forecast rain arriving to soften the track to give $34 roughie Crackalacka her chance in the opening $150,000 Qualifier (1400m) for eligible Provincial and Midway trainers.
Buoyed by a double at the Sapphire Coast yesterday, Bateup desperately wants to start her mare, who is likely to be her sole representative in this year’s series.
“I won’t run Crackalacka unless we get some rain,” Bateup said today. “She doesn’t appreciate really firm tracks.
“All but one of her four wins since joining our stable have been on soft or heavy ground.”
There will be some irony if Bateup can upset leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, who has won four of the eight Finals, and is seeking his third in a row, having scored with Cristal Breeze in 2021 and Kinloch last year.
Crackalacka, a five-year-old daughter of Poet’s Voice, began her career with Lees and won a Mudgee Maiden (1400m) in April, 2021 at her fifth start.
“She finished third at Merriwa at her next start and last for Kris, and one of my clients bought her online for $9000,” Bateup said.
“She is a lovely mare to train, and deserves her opportunity to contest the series.
“If we scratch on Thursday, Crackalacka can still run in another Qualifier to try to make the $500,000 Final.”
With the blessing of Crackalacka’s owners, Bateup has stuck with Wagga apprentice Molly Bourke, although she cannot claim in Thursday’s race.
“Molly has ridden the mare at her last four starts, and has done nothing wrong on her,” Bateup said.
“She won the Moruya Cup (1425m) on her in early January, and her Bega Cup (1600m) run when fifth at the end of the month was good.
“Crackalacka didn’t have any luck, and hit the line as well as anything else.
“Then she was just caught in the closing stages by Songbird Serenade at her last run at the Canterbury night meeting on February 10.
“I was keen to stick with Molly, and the owners were in total agreement.
“The barrier draw hasn’t been kind to us (18 in a field of 16 plus three emergencies), but it won’t matter if the rain comes.”
Lees generously acknowledged Bateup has done a good job with Crackalacka, and has three acceptors - Spangler ($4.20 favorite), Mobstar ($8) and Terrameades ($19) – but is yet to confirm the former as a definite starter.
“Spangler has drawn awkwardly; I’m not sure yet whether he will take his place in the field,” Lees said this afternoon.
“But Mobstar and Terrameades will go to Kembla.”
Sam Clipperton has been booked for Spangler (who has won two from three on heavy ground), star apprentice Dylan Gibbons partners Mobstar, and Tom Sherry rides Terrameades.
Spangler was slowly away and conceded a big start before powering home to finish second to Point Counterpoint in the January 13 Ballina Cup (1590m), one of the eligibility races for The Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick later this year.
He has since finished second to stablemate Geo in a 1000m trial on the Beaumont track on February 16.
Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup also hasn’t confirmed a start in the opening Qualifier for second favorite Phearson ($6), who has drawn barrier 17 (but will start from 14 if the three emergencies do not secure berths).
“I haven’t spoken to Phearson’s owners yet about whether we go ahead and run,” Widdup said.
. The rail is in the TRUE position for Thursday’s meeting, and the track late this afternoon had a “Good 4” rating.
Wyong trainer Damien Lane has opted for a cross over nose band on Wealthy Investor (Regan Bayliss), and second emergency Slickman will race in winkers if he makes the field.
*John Curtis
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