NICCONITA revelled in her first attempt over a mile at the Sapphire Coast on Monday, opening a new door in her career. Back midfield and some 10 lengths in arrears of a tearaway leader, the John Bateman-trained mare pulled back the margin to win with 1.5 lengths to spare and her ears pricked on the … More NICCONITA relishes distance rise

After five years of training independently, John Bateman believes he has finally found the horse that can win him the Spendthrift Guy Walter race at Goulburn on Sunday. It is a race Bateman would dearly love to win, as it is named in honour of his late mentor whom he worked under for 14 years. … More “I’d love to win this race”

The John Bateman-trained pair OUTAHAND and THE BLUESMOBILE will be out to highlight the virtues of patience when they race at Wagga on Saturday. Most trainers would have given up hope on the lightly-raced geldings long before Bateman unlocked their potential. Indeed, OUTAHAND didn’t have his first race start until he was five, but the … More Late bloomers step out at Wagga

John Bateman’s patience and horsemanship was highlighted by WAR DECK’s maiden-breaking win at Goulburn on Friday. The gelding has long been a work in progress for the stable, with an erratic demeanour and tendency to travel keenly in his races. But WAR DECK appears to have finally turned a corner under the tutelage of John. … More WAR DECK victorious!

John Bateman believes bookmakers are quoting a generous price about NICCONITA in her attempt to win a deserved Highway race at Randwick on Saturday. A Highway win has eluded NICCONITA in seven attempts, but John is quietly confident his mare can finally convert five minor placings into a win, despite bookmakers currently offering upwards of … More “I thought she would be a lot shorter than that”

John Bateman’s training skills will be put to the test when quirky gelding WAR DECK has his first start for the stable at Wagga on Thursday. Formerly prepared by Joe Pride at Warwick Farm, WAR DECK arrived at John’s Goulburn base earlier this month in the hope that a change of scenery would help the … More WAR DECK a welcome challenge for Bateman

Consistent mare NICCONITA heads to Canterbury on Wednesday where she will link up with top jockey Brenton Avdulla. John has been pleased with NICCONITA’s progress since running on resolutely first-up at Randwick on August 3 when ridden by another champion hoop in Hugh Bowman. “She’s coming to hand really nicely and she took a lot … More Nicconita chasing deserved metro win