Sapphire Coast Racing Preview: Associate Leads Bega Cup Charge
NSW form analyst Shayne O'Cass delivers his comprehensive race-by-race analysis and expert selections for the Sapphire Coast meeting on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The highlight of the program is the Bega Cup, where the flashy chestnut Associate aims to secure Big Dance eligibility with a commanding performance.
Associate Primed for Bega Cup Success
The Danielle Seib-trained Associate arrives at Sapphire Coast as the $3.50 pre-post favourite for the Bega Cup, a 1600-metre contest that offers valuable Big Dance eligibility. This Canberra-based gelding has already proven his class with a Country Championship Final appearance at Randwick and could return for major carnival events later this year.
Associate's only previous visit to the Sapphire Coast resulted in a heroic performance in last year's Bega Cup, where he roared home from last position at the turn to finish sixth, beaten by just three lengths in a field of sixteen. The son of Star Witness now returns to country grade racing after a respectable sixth-place finish in a city Benchmark 72 event over 1800 metres at Kensington.
"It just turned into a bit of a sit and sprint affair," trainer Danielle Seib explained about his recent city run. "He ran well but back to the mile suits him on Sunday. I think a genuine gallop would be appreciated. Obviously, we have drawn a little bit sticky and it's never easy at the Sapphire Coast when you're drawn wide, it is a track that can play up and in a little bit."
Seib remains confident in her charge, noting that "he continues to hold form and that holds in good stead. It is a competitive race; there is no such thing as a 'gimme' at this level but I am happy with how he has continued to progress to train on."
This will be Associate's seventh and final run of his current campaign, which has been highlighted by a thumping victory in the Ted Ryder race in the Riverina. The Rosemont Stud-bred six-year-old has been a consistent money-spinner for connections since being purchased for $35,000 at the 2021 Gold Coast 2YOs In Training Sale. A victory on Sunday would push his career earnings beyond the $300,000 mark.
Promising Three-Year-Old Debuts
Trainer Danielle Seib also has high hopes for the lightly-raced three-year-old Dunna Runna, who makes just his third career start in the 2EC & Power FM Maiden Handicap over 1000 metres. The gelding was purchased for $60,000 at the Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale and boasts an impressive pedigree as a brother to VRC Sires' Produce winner Let'srollthedice.
"He's a nice horse. We've got quite an opinion of him," Seib revealed. "He had a bit of interference in that first start at Goulburn and then obviously devoid of any luck at all, and should have won that second start there at Orange. I suspect he will sprint well fresh, from the inside gate, hopefully they run along and we can have last shot at them."
Shayne O'Cass' Top Selections
Best Bet: Race 8 No. 5: REMADOSI - This Reliable Man mare continues to improve with each run and represents excellent value.
Next Best: Race 1 No. 1: BRUCEY - Combines good trainer, capable jockey, favourable draw and impressive trial form.
Value: Race 6 No. 9: COUGARS - Previous Highway winner who excels at this track and distance combination.
Daily Double: 1st Leg: 9, 2nd Leg: 5
Quaddie: Race 5: 6, 10 | Race 6: 1, 5, 9 | Race 7: 6, 7, 8 | Race 8: 5
Jockey to Follow: Leading NSW jockey Pierre Boudvillain, who rides Bega Cup favourite Associate.
Race-by-Race Analysis
Race 1: 2EC & Power FM Country Boosted Showcase Maiden Handicap 1000m
BRUCEY (1) impressed with a stylish trial win at Goulburn last Tuesday and should attract strong support. PURE MELODY (8) brings deep form lines including a runner-up finish to Triptolemus on debut.
Betting Strategy: Brucey to win, exacta/quinella 1/8
Race 2: Bega Chamber Of Commerce Showcase Class 2 Handicap 1200m
TRIPTOLEMUS (4) has won two of three starts, including a commanding victory at Wagga last start. Barrier two enhances his prospects. LADY YARROW (9) boasts solid form including a narrow defeat to Autumn Break at Wagga in August.
Betting Strategy: Triptolemus to win, quinella 4,9
Race 3: Bega Betta Home Living Benchmark 58 Handicap 1200m
SHEZAIN (7) returned from a two-year absence to win at Moruya earlier this month, displaying Highway-class ability. DEEPWATER ARTIST (2) has shown consistent improvement through four starts and should be competitive first-up.
Betting Strategy: Shezain to win, quinella 2,7
Race 4: Bateup Racing Sapphire Coast Cup - Benchmark 66 Showcase Handicap 2200m
BURGUNDY GIRL (2) finished within four lengths of the Country Classic winner at Rosehill and closed well when third over 2000m at Canberra last start. JIMMY MANOLO (5) brings excellent fitness with four consecutive runs between 2000m and 2100m.
Betting Strategy: Burgundy Girl each-way
Race 5: Superior Oysters Showcase Super Maiden Plate 1400m
BELLEISTIC BONNY (10) carries the lightest weight and appears the class runner ahead of RING OF FIRE (6). The lightly-raced pair of SURVIVABEEL (12) and EDIKA (2) both have claims with favourable draws.
Betting Strategy: Belleistic Bonny to win, trifecta 2,6,10,12 (boxed)
Race 6: Bega Valley Automotive Bega Showcase Sprint 1200m
COUGARS (9) has strong Highway form including a victory at Randwick on December 27. PANIC (5) has been finishing strongly in recent Cup and Town Plate events.
Betting Strategy: Cougars to win, exacta 9 to beat, Daily Double 1st Leg 9, 2nd Leg 5
Race 7: Bega Cheese Big Dance Eligibility Bega Showcase Cup 1600m
TARTANA (7) boasts impressive statistics with three starts at the track yielding a win, second and third. Jockey Jess Taylor has ridden her 19 times for three wins and eight placings. ASSOCIATE (6) drops back from 1800m to 1600m and returns to country grade racing.
Betting Strategy: Tartana each-way, quinella 6,7, trifecta 6,7,8,10
Race 8: Bega Bobcats Country Magic Benchmark 58 Showcase Handicap 1400m
REMADOSI (5) represents the Joseph and Jones stable and has won both starts at 1400 metres. SIR LUNCHALOTS (11) possesses more talent than his 51 rating suggests, while MISS STALWART (2) rounds out the main chances.
Betting Strategy: Remadosi to win
