Theresa Bateup purchased Monegal with the expectation she could win a couple of races at the country and provincial grade.
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The expectations were even lower for Tochi when she arrived at Robert and Luke Price's stable after two underwhelming trials with Joe Pride.
Today, both horses are city winners and preparing to line up in Tuesday's 1600 metres Group 3 Belle of the Turf Stakes at Gosford.
It's a remarkable turnaround for the pair, their trainers enjoying considerable success throughout the past 18 months.
While Monegal's early form line was not spectacular, Bateup quickly grew confident she could develop into a talented mare.
The $3000 yearling needed eight starts to break her maiden, the first win in February 2019 acting as a launching pad.
Monegal became the trainer's first Saturday city winner in June before going on to claim a second metropolitan victory on The Gong day at Kembla Grange.
With the preparation going to plan, Bateup is confident the five-year-old can earn black type status on Tuesday.
"We're always hoping to buy one that turns out good," Bateup said. "For a $3000 horse, she's now won $330,000, two metropolitan Saturday races, a Bega Cup. She's one of those horses you dream about getting.
"We've always had this race in the back of our mind. If we can get black type it will increase her residual value as a broodmare.
"Her work's been good since her last run, I couldn't be happier heading into it. She'll naturally get back, around Gosford if she's three deep with cover, it's not the worst place to be."
Tochi's path to Gosford has been just as unique, the horse a handful during her brief stint with Pride.
She has proved equally challenging for the Prices, however it didn't take long for the father-son duo to identify her talent.
An impressive first preparation had the trainers eyeing city success, a pair of wins at Canterbury coming in February.
Tochi has her quirks and requires close attention, but Luke Price said the results have made it worthwhile.
"At the time we received her, we thought she'd win a race or two in the country," Price said. "She's improved and got better with every start. She's been a lot of hard work, but a lot of fun.
"In her first prep she showed how tough she is, the next prep she was unbelievable and showed she's up to city level. Now I feel she can get black type in the right race.
"From the start of this prep we've eyed this race, hopefully it comes to plan and she can win a stakes race."
One wildcard looming over the race is Tuesday's gloomy weather forecast.
Both stables are happy for the rain to fall, Monegal winning on a heavy eight at Rosehill and Tochi also thriving on wet tracks throughout the past 12 months.
"If we get rain, it will bring her into the picture," Price said. "She's over the odds, I couldn't be happier going into the race."