Monegal - the reigning horse of the year at the Sapphire Coast club - made it four wins from five starts at the track for Bateup, who is the premier trainer for the past two seasons.

But it was the previous start, where the four-year-old mare charged late to be 2.2 lengths sixth behind I Am Vinnia and Laure Me In in a Benchmark 78 (1400m) at Randwick which has Bateup convinced she can progress to Listed or Group racing, with the scope of pushing out to 2000m.

"She's still only a four-year-old, but she's just got such a good attitude," Bateup said.

"I'm keeping it open ended at the moment, whether it could be this preparation or in the future, but she's showing enough to say she can have a throw at the stumps in some black-type racing.

"I certainly think she is going to be running out a strong 2000m as she keeps maturing, she's still doing a couple of things wrong.

"At Randwick she had her head to side in the barrier and fell out last, but the way she finished off was very encouraging."

READ MORE: Kembla Grange trainer Gwenda Markwell's bid for Inglis Millennium prize

Bateup was delighted with the Bega Cup (1600m) win, after difficult summer setbacks with the South Coast bushfires.

"Even on the Sunday, there was the threat of bushfires for the community down there," she said.

"But it's a great club, it's always enjoyable to race down there, so it was fantastic to win the Cup."

Bateup is also considering aiming stablemate Fleeting Stryke at a 2400m a Randwick on Saturday week.

While you're with us the Illawarra Mercury is offering sport readers 20% off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love for only $3 a week. Terms and conditions apply.