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Theresa Bateup’s home track assault is in the hands of the Weather Gods again and is on the hunt for the sting of the ground for consistent campaigner Tartana if she gets the go ahead for Kembla Grange on Thursday.

Tartana has been a great money spinner for the Bateup yard with three wins and eight placings from 16 starts for the stable.

The daughter of Invader returned with a solid second on home turf late last month and has been tasked with carrying topweight in the Coca-Cola F&m Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m).

Tartana (Jess Taylor) in winning touch at Sapphire Coast. Image by Bradley Photographers

In-form apprentice Anna Roper’s 1.5kg claim would help the mare get in with 60kg for the second-up assignment with Bateup set to keep the option open to run her a day later at Moruya.

Tartana was an acceptor on Saturday before the Kembla meeting had to be postponed due to a raceday storm.

“I want to see what the weather does,” Bateup said.

“It is a tricky little race on Thursday. She has shortened up in the market quite a bit.

“I thought she was a good chance here at home the other day, this is that little bit tougher race and just being fillies and mares, she has a little bit of extra weight we have offset slightly with the claim from Anna (Roper).

“She is a tough honest little mare and races well here.”

Tartana has been $8 into $4.40 on TAB to win on home turf. Another win second-up could open the door for Bateup to start aiming higher with the five-year-old.

“A Midway definitely isn’t out of her reach, it’s just about finding the right one,” Bateup said. “The provincial restricted races have been quite nice for her at the moment and I'm looking for tracks with a bit of sting out of them.”

Bateup is mulling over a two-pronged attack in the Carlton Dry 3.5 Cg&e Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m) with Master Reilly and Victory At Omaha both possible starters.

Master Reilly ($16) is drawn out in barrier 12 and was another horse that was an acceptor on Saturday while Victory At Omaha ($34) has drawn more favourably in barrier eight.

“Master Reilly can’t draw a gate and we are waiting to see what the weather does and you might get a few scratchings,” Bateup said.

“He is another one that doesn’t mind a bit of give. I was probably happier with the race on Saturday than this race but will wait to see what comes out.

“Victory At Omaha is the one that is the most likely starter and doesn’t mind some give in the ground or a wet track.”

View final fields with full form & race replays for Kembla Grange here