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By John Curtis

It’s 21 years this week since Theresa Bateup launched her training career - so what better way to celebrate than by winning a race or two at Hawkesbury on Thursday?

The Kembla Grange trainer’s first runner was $250 buy Casiraghi, a former Victorian who a friend had purchased for her at an Inglis tried sale at the old Newmarket complex in Sydney, at her home track on May 24, 2003.

She discovered the then nine-year-old was a chronic windsucker, but said he was an amazing horse who provided her with a breakthrough winner at Queanbeyan on July 14 that year.

A further 224 winners have followed, with Bateup acknowledged as possessing a canny eye for bargains, most notably $3000 Scone yearling buy Monegal, with whom she won 10 races along with as many placings and earned more than $650,000, including her maiden black type success in the 2022 Group 3 Epona Stakes at Rosehill Gardens during the Golden Slipper Festival.

Bateup has two acceptors at Hawkesbury; Rubilace in the Blakes Marine Provincial Maiden Handicap (1300m), and Mulvader in the Pioneer Services Midway Class 1 Handicap (1600m).

Apprentice Molly Bourke has been booked for Rubilace, and Bateup’s easily most successful rider Jess Taylor (78 wins for the stable) for Mulvader.

The pair of three-year-olds cost a combined $40,000 as yearlings two years ago – Rubilace fetched $16,000 at the 2022 Inglis HTBA sale in Sydney, and Mulvader was secured for $24,000 earlier that year at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Book 2.

Dual acceptor Mulvader bypasses a Warwick Farm engagement today to line up at Hawkesbury, whilst Bateup is leaning toward also starting Rubilace at Hawkesbury rather than wait for Newcastle on Saturday.

“I’m still debating about running Rubilace as she drew awkwardly but will come into 10 if the three emergencies don’t start,” she said last night.

“On the other hand she might draw even worse if we wait for the Newcastle race (a 3YO and Up Maiden Plate, 1400m).

Rubilace is the first foal of her dam Anelace, who raced only twice and won an 1100m Wyong Maiden on debut for Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride.

“I thought she was a female version of my recently retired The Guru (who won six races and earned just over $337,000) when I saw her,” Bateup explained. “They’re both by Rubick, and Rubilace is out of an O’Reilly mare, and I really liked her.”

Rubilace, without luck in the run, finished an excellent and close third in a Moruya Super Maiden (1200m) on April 26 before Bateup set her sights on a $100,000 midweek Super Maiden (1300m) at Warwick Farm on May 8.

“I didn’t have any qualms about going to town to run on a heavy track as she had easily won a trial at home on April 10 on a Heavy 10,” she said.

“Rubilace fought it out right to the end and wasn’t beaten far by the more experienced Star Act, who had been placed four times. Though beaten, prizemoney for second was almost as good as winning a provincial race.

“I won’t go too far with Rubilace at her first racing preparation, and it would be nice to win with her before she goes for a break.”

Bateup described Invader gelding Mulvader as a nice little horse and real trier: “He went for a spell after winning his maiden at the Sapphire Coast, and is fitter for two runs back and Jess (Taylor) is back on him,” she said.

“He is a no fuss type of horse with heart. Mulvader loomed up in the straight first-up at Newcastle, and then I didn’t expect him to go to the front at Goulburn when he finished fourth.

“He fought on really well and it was a brave effort on the heavy track. The rest of the program was called off after that race was run.”

Rubilace this morning was a $4.40 favorite with TAB.com.au, and Mulvader was an $18 chance.

Racing NSW stewards have approved two jockeys riding over the allotted weights at the meeting.

Adam Hyeronimus will ride Lady Of Justice (Race 3) 1kg over, and Monte Maximus (Race 6) 0.5kg over, Keagan Latham rides Pantsman (Race 2) 1kg over, and Platinum Asset (Race 7) also 1kg over.

The rail is 2m out from the 1100m to 450m, and in the TRUE position for the remainder of the circuit (as was the case at the previous meeting on May 14). Course manager Kyle Cassim at 8am today reported a “Soft 5”, with a penetrometer reading of 5.25.

There has been no rain recorded in the last 24 hours, and only 0.5mm in the past seven days.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Hawkesbury here