Coffs Harbour, Kembla previews: Brett Bellamy can achieve a long held ambition in hometown feature
Is this the year for Brett Bellamy to win his local cup race?
The Coffs Harbour trainer races Northern Knight in Thursday’s $150,000 event and he comes into the race off a close seventh placing behind Greek Hero in the Sawtell Cup.
Bellamy said he had a lot in his favour but some challenges to overcome as Raymond Spokes rides him from a good draw.
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Highly experienced jockey Raymond Spokes and Northern Knight continue their association in the Coffs Harbour Cup.Source:News Regional Media
“He’s been set for the race. I’m just not overly convinced he’s a miler but if you’re not in it you can’t win it,” Bellamy said.
“He’s really good here and he ran a reasonable race in the Sawtell Cup when finishing just in behind them and he drops in weight for this which is a big plus.
“Ray knows the horse and every blade of grass on the track and from the gate (2) he can be where he wants to be in the run.”
There are a few big gun trainers trying to win the bush cup to make things harder and Northern Knight will need to run up to Saturday city class to win for the third time at his home track.
“I’ve never been able to win it. I’ve gone close and it’s an ambition of every country trainer to win their local cup and they’re not getting any easier to win,” Bellamy said.
“John O’Shea, Kris Lees Paul Perry and Jason Deamer are here so it’s going to be hard to win.
“Jason Deamer’s horse (Greek Hero) has to be a very good chance. He was impressive in the Sawtell Cup. He hit the line strongly so he’ll be tough to beat.”
The local knowledge might prove the difference if Northern Knight is to cause an upset against the likes of Opacity, Itz Lily, Luncies and Greek Hero.
Bellamy said his horse’s record at Coffs Harbour shouldn’t be underestimated.
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“I think it’s going to be a big plus to have had a run on this track because some horses come here and don’t race well,” Bellamy said.
“You can lead here and win. You can come from last, you can sit wide or come up the fence and win. There’s no bias here.
“You can ride them their natural way and still have a chance.”
Earlier in the day Northern Knight’s relation Boncassie goes around in a 3YO Plate (1205m) and is third-up off a gritty win at Coffs Harbour a fortnight ago.
She’ll get all the favours from barrier three.
“She’s a full sister to Northern Knight,” Bellamy said.
“She’s raced well and won here the other day.
“I’m hoping she has natural improvement and she makes her own luck. She doesn’t have to lead though. She can get back and com home.
“From the gate she can dictate terms though. I really like her.”
The other horse out of Bellamy’s big team which he’s looking forward to seeing is Supreme Diva in the sixth event.
She won here three starts ago and has since run close seconds and fifths.
“She raced very well at Grafton when not getting a great deal of luck and her record is good at Coffs Harbour so she’s got no negatives,” Bellamy said.
BATEUP HAS FOUND THE KEY TO SUCCESS TO NEW ADDITION
It’s hard to improve a seven-year-old but Theresa Bateup has got Real Key back to his best form and he’s no doubt looking forward to racing at his new home track on Thursday.
The son of Bon Hoffa races in the last event at Kembla Grange after winning at the track two weeks ago.
It was his third start for Bateup who is naturally enjoying working with him ahead of his Benchmark 68 (1400m).
“He’s just continually improved and I still think there’s a bit more improvement in him yet,” Bateup said.
“I think this is definitely a harder race than the one he lined up in last start. But I think the bigger field helps his cause.”
“I think he’ll be better suited with a genuinely run race with a few that will go forward and put a genuine speed into it which helps him and he’s drawn (5) nicely.”
Sam Clipperton again rides Real Key for trainer Theresa Bateup. Photo: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
From a good gate Sam Clipperton should be able to tuck Real Key into an ideal spot so he can finish off his race in the best possible way.
“He tends to handle any track conditions and I’m really happy with him heading into this race. I was trying to get him into a Midway last Saturday but we just missed out,” Bateup said.
“He’s just a tough old gelding and he’s a cool customer to have around the stables and he just goes about his business and loves his racing.”
Yote Amo Maria races for Bateup in the opening race and she thinks the four-year-old will run above her odds fourth-up.
“Her past couple of runs have actually been pretty good, especially her last run,” Bateup said.
“It was a bit of a tricky track down there at the Sapphire Coast. You needed to find that cut away and I drew wide all day.
“She hit the line very strongly after threading her way through. I’ve got no dramas with her stepping up to the 2000m and she’s probably going to be a little underestimated.
“On paper, her runs don’t look as good as they have been and the long straight at Kembla will suit.”
Originally published asCoffs Harbour, Kembla previews: Knight to shine in Cup
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