Sapphire Coast Racing Preview: Bega Cup Takes Centre Stage
NSW form analyst Shayne O'Cass delivers his comprehensive race-by-race analysis and best betting selections for the Sapphire Coast meeting scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026. The highlight of the program is the prestigious Bega Cup, which carries significant Big Dance eligibility implications for connections.
Bega Cup Contender Associate Leads the Charge
Flashy chestnut gelding Associate, trained by Danielle Seib, arrives at the Sapphire Coast as the pre-post favourite priced at $3.50 for the Bega Cup over 1600 metres. This race offers the valuable bonus of Big Dance eligibility, potentially setting up a return to Randwick for either the Big or Little Dance later in the year.
Associate's sole previous appearance at this venue came in last year's Bega Cup, where he produced a remarkable performance to finish sixth after being last of sixteen runners at the turn. The son of Star Witness closed strongly to be beaten by just three diminishing lengths in a heroic effort.
Seib's gelding technically drops in class this weekend, returning to country grade immediately following a city assignment where he finished an even sixth of eleven in a leader-dominated Benchmark 72 over 1800 metres on the Kensington track.
"It just turned into a bit of a sit and sprint affair," Seib explained. "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, as the track can play up and in a little bit. But he continues to hold form and that holds him 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."
The Bega Cup will represent Associate's seventh and final run of his current campaign, which has been highlighted by a thumping victory in the annual Ted Ryder race in the Riverina prior to his city excursion. Should he prove successful on Sunday, Associate's career earnings will climb above the $300,000 mark.
Promising Three-Year-Old Dunna Runna Makes His Move
Trainer Danielle Seib also holds strong hopes for three-year-old Dunna Runna, who lines up for just the third time in his career 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 was obviously devoid of any luck at all in his second start at Orange, where he should have won. I suspect he will sprint well fresh, from the inside gate, and hopefully they run along so we can have last shot at them."
Shayne O'Cass' Top Selections and Betting Strategy
Best Bets and Value Plays
Best Bet: Race 8 No. 5 - REMADOSI
Reliable Man mare who continues to improve with each racing performance.
Next Best: Race 1 No. 1 - BRUCEY
Combines good trainer, capable jockey, favourable draw and impressive trial form.
Value Selection: Race 6 No. 9 - COUGARS
Previous Highway winner who performs particularly well at this same track and distance.
Multi Betting Options
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
The State's leading jockey Pierre Boudvillain takes the ride on Bega Cup fancy Associate and could be in for a successful day at the Sapphire Coast meeting.
Race-by-Race Analysis and Inside Mail
Race 1: 2EC & Power FM Country Boosted Showcase Maiden Handicap 1000m
BRUCEY (1) is expected to attract significant support following his impressive and stylish trial victory at Goulburn just last Tuesday. PURE MELODY (8) brings incredibly deep form lines to the race, having finished runner-up to Triptolemus on debut before running fourth to Autumn Break.
Betting Suggestion: Brucey to win, exacta/quinella 1/8
Race 2: Bega Chamber Of Commerce Showcase Class 2 Handicap 1200m
TRIPTOLEMUS (4) has won twice from just three career starts, including a commanding victory in a Benchmark 58 at Wagga by nearly two lengths when resuming without a trial. Barrier two enhances his prospects significantly. LADY YARROW (9) possesses fine form figures and ran Autumn Break to a narrow margin at Wagga back in August.
Betting Suggestion: Triptolemus to win, quinella 4,9
Race 3: Bega Betta Home Living Benchmark 58 Handicap 1200m
SHEZAIN (7) deserves considerable praise for her victory at Moruya on January 5, coming almost two full years after her first and only previous start. She possesses Highway class ability but faces a potential vulnerability from barrier eleven of eleven. DEEPWATER ARTIST (2) has shown consistent ability across his four starts and will be much harder to hold out following his first-up performance.
Betting Suggestion: 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 winner in the annual Country Classic at Rosehill on Five Diamonds Day before closing off willingly when third in a 2000 metre Benchmark 65 at Canberra most recently. JIMMY MANOLO (5) arrives as a very fit racehorse with his last four runs all being at distances of 2000 metres or further.
Betting Suggestion: Burgundy Girl each-way
Race 5: Superior Oysters Showcase Super Maiden Plate 1400m
BELLEISTIC BONNY (10) carries the lightest weight of all twelve runners and represents the best horse in the race, just ahead of RING OF FIRE (6). The lightly-raced pairing of SURVIVABEEL (12) and EDIKA (2) both have legitimate claims, particularly the former given her favourable barrier draw.
Betting Suggestion: Belleistic Bonny to win, trifecta 2,6,10,12 (boxed)
Race 6: Bega Valley Automotive Bega Showcase Sprint 1200m
COUGARS (9) has contested four TAB Highways, including an eye-catching sixth to Massira first-up this preparation before defeating Joiselle, Satin Stiletto and others in her December 27 Highway at Randwick. Her most recent performance at Wyong can be completely forgiven. PANIC (5) deserves reward for effort after smashing the line in a string of Cups and Town Plates.
Betting Suggestion: 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 compelling statistics with three starts at the track resulting in a win, second and third, while five runs at the mile have produced a win, two seconds and a third. Jockey Jess Taylor has ridden her nineteen times for three wins and eight placings. ASSOCIATE (6) returns from city grade to country grade and drops back from 1800 metres to 1600 metres.
Betting Suggestion: 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 best winning chance among approximately nineteen Joseph and Jones-trained horses competing over the two-day Bega carnival. The Gerry Harvey-bred daughter of Reliable Man is two from two at 1400 metres and promises to improve further when stepped up to a mile. SIR LUNCHALOTS (11) possesses significantly more talent than his 51 rating suggests, while MISS STALWART (2) represents the next best chance.
Betting Suggestion: Remadosi to win
