WHAT’S IN A PRICE?

PRICE is no barrier to success!

Two Kembla Grange-trained horses ran the quinella in the opener, the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m), at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

One cost only $5000 when purchased as a weanling, and the other a cool $800,000 as a yearling.

And guess who was the winner? The “cheapie” of course.

Theresa Bateup’s Direct Fire ($5.50), ridden by Amy McLucas, defeated Rob and Luke Price’s $3.50 favorite Monte Supreme (Tommy Berry).

Direct Fire, a four-year-old son of Dracarys and the Pentire mare Directly, posted his third victory at his 12th start, whilst I Am Invincible four-year-old Monte Supreme was racing for the 10th time, and has won twice and been placed on three occasions.

Bateup, who clinched her sixth success this season (and first in town), got Direct Fire indirectly through the deeds of his older half-sister Crackalacka (by Poet’s Voice).

“Fergal Connolly bought Direct Fire at the Magic Millions National weanling sale in 2021,” Bateup said.

“He knew I had Crackalacka (who won the Moruya Cup in January last year and also was placed in a Kembla Grange heat of the Provincial-Midway Championships the following month), and asked if I was interested in buying Direct Fire.

“We were able to arrange a deal, and I’ve always had a nice opinion of him.

“He won a Class 1 Handicap (1000m) on debut at Moruya in November last year, and won the Canberra Guineas Preview (1400m) in February.

“Direct Fire ran second in the Wagga Guineas Prelude (1400m) in April, and I turned him out after he ran seventh in the Guineas (1600m) there early the following month.

“He has come back a more mature horse, and we’ll try to win again with him at our The Gong meeting at home on Saturday week in another Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap, this time over 1400m.”

As for “big sister” and five times winner Crackalacka, Bateup says the mare’s career is at the crossroads.

“She is seven years of age now, and it’s hard to find the right race with her with the sting out of the track,” she said.

. Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees clinched a Saturday two-State double, scoring with

Oakfield Prince at Wyong and Bubba’s Bay at Doomben.

Oakfield Prince (Jean Van Overmeire) won the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) at $10, and Bubba’s Bay (Andrew Mallyon) hung on gamely to land the Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m) as a $4.40 chance.

Bubba’s Bay has now won 10 races, and all but two have been in Brisbane; four of them at Doomben.

.

Connections have retired Newcastle eight-year-old Bandersnatch, a gallant second to fellow Novocastrian Rustic Steel in last Thursday’s Listed Ladies Day Cup (1500m) at Hawkesbury.

Bandersnatch subsequently was found to have strained his off-fore suspensory ligament.

Newcastle trainer John Bannister made it two wins on end with Oh No Bro, who scored at Armidale on Sunay in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1900m).

The seven-year-old gelding had also taken a Benchmark 66 Handicap (2000m) at Quirindi on October 28. Apprentice Shae Wilkes was the rider on both occasions.

Story John Curtis, November 10, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos