A horse rug still sits on the fence between Theresa Bateup and Deanne Pinney's houses.
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Bateup, trainer of six-year-old mare Monegal who runs in Saturday's Midway Handicap at Randwick, still expects to see her neighbour to emerge to gather it up and head off to trackwork every morning.
It's been an emotional time at Kembla Grange after Pinney, who in more than 30 years worked with everyone from the late Bede Murray to former partner Kerry Parker, suddenly passed away at the age of 49 earlier this week.
If there is such a thing as divine equine intervention, it will surely lift Monegal and Parker's stable star Think It Over on Saturday.
"It's still hard to think it happened," Bateup said.
"I've known her for as long as I've been here, it's been hard for everyone around Kembla Grange.
"Hopefully there will be a bit of divine intervention on Saturday, we'll all be cheering Think It Over, that's for sure."
Think It Over is currently well in the market at $8.50 for the Group 1 Winx Stakes over 1400m, having won the George Ryder over 1500m in the autumn.
The now six-year-old gelding also ran Saturday's favourite Verry Elleegant to within a length in the Queen Elizabeth.
Three hours before the Winx Stakes, Bateup will be chasing more success in town with Monegal, who will carry 57.5 kilograms after jockey Ellen Hennessy's three-kilogram claim.
"It's been a long time since she's run at Benchmark 72 level and she gets in well enough," Bateup said.
"She should get a nice run from the barrier and there looks to be enough pace in the race for her to come into it late, as long as she can get out when we need her to."
Bateup scratched Monegal from Thursday's Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury after drawing barrier 14.
It was a successful day for Gwenda Markwell though, as third starter Esteemed Lady produced an indestructible run to salute in an 1100m Maiden at $61.
"She does show a bit of speed, yeah, she drew wide alleys first start when Glen Boss rode her," Markwell said. "He said she overraced that day but Glen Boss had a big opinion of her and she's a bit of a gross, fat filly so a bit of racing has made it good for her."
Rose campaign in bloom
Jamaea's charge to the Golden Rose begins on Saturday in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes.
The Robert and Luke Price-trained filly is first-up after an impressive start to her career in the autumn, winning the Percy Sykes, after finishing second in the Group 3 Magic Night.
Jamaea is listed as an $9.50 chance with Sportsbet, behind John Sargent's talented Four Moves Ahead at $2.80.
Group company
After hosting last Saturday's black-type Up And Coming meeting due to Covid restrictions, there will be more metropolitan level stars on show at Kembla Grange for Group 3 San Domenico Stakes day on August 28.
Kembla Grange's scheduled Provincial meeting has moved to Goulburn.
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