Wagga is almost like a “home away from home” for Kembla Grange trainer Theresa Bateup.
It’s hardly surprising considering Theresa was born and bred in the nearby township of Cootamundra.
And her close association with Kooringal Stud makes her appreciation of the district even greater.
Theresa’s latest rising star Magico Hombre (pictured) is another Kooringal success story.
Magico Hombre was bred at the stud by long-time client Paul Nottage, who also shares in the ownership of the three-year-old.
Theresa has her sights set on the Wagga Gold Cup Carnival with the son of former popular Kooringal stallion Magic Albert.
“I plan to head to the Guineas at Wagga with him,” Theresa said.
“Winning that race has been on my bucket list for quite some time.
“I grew up in Cootamundra and I can remember strapping at the Wagga track as a 16-year-old.
“I race at Wagga a lot and love going there.”
Magico Hombre gave an insight to his class with a third in the $80,000 Albury Guineas (1400m) on March 19 before winning at the Sapphire Coast on a heavy track a week later.
“He is a horse I have always had a lot of time for and I have been taking him through his grades,” Theresa said.
Magico Hombre’s dam Lady Be Great (by Charge Forward) has a weanling filly by Kooringal’s dual Group 1 winner Prized Icon and is currently in foal to the superbly bred The Brothers War.
Theresa’s link with the stud was initiated by Lady Be Great’s owner.
“Paul Nottage has been sending his mares and spellers to Kooringal for a long time,” she said.
“I went along and saw what an absolutely fantastic set-up they have.
“Stuart, Angus and Richie (Lamont) do a great job and I am always raving to my owners about Kooringal.
“I now have a couple of broodmares there in foal to Prized Icon and that’s exciting for the future.”
Paul Nottage is also looking ahead with great anticipation.
“Currently Paul has eight well-bred weanlings at Kooringal,” Angus Lamont said.
“He has been a great supporter of ours and we have no doubt he has plenty of winners to come.”
Theresa pointed out her stayer Foxtrot Bravo is a perfect example of how a horse can benefit from spelling at the Harefield property.
“When I dropped him off at Kooringal he was a touch under 400kg and he put on 74kg while spelling,” she said.
“He has come back a lot stronger and showed that in winning the Adrian Ledger Memorial (2400m) at the Albury carnival.
“It’s such good country and the horses always do so well there.”
Theresa is likely to give Magico Hombre one more start before tackling the $80,000 MTC Guineas (1600m) on May 7.
Magico Hombre is part of a classy crop of Magic Albert three-year-olds.
Hay John led all the way to win at Gosford last month while the promising Evanora is nearing a return to racing for Canberra trainer Luke Pepper.
“Magic Albert has been a successful sire for a long time and he continues to have smart young horses coming through the ranks,’ Angus said.
