Following a fruitful weekend in the Sunshine State, Proven Thoroughbreds is looking forward to a busy Easter period with up to 14 runners set to face the starter.
Last Saturday was all about the Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted-trained SECRET TALES (pictured), who romped home by a staggering 18 lengths in the opener at the Gold Coast. Whilst the 1400m maiden may have been lacking in depth, the winning margin is believed to be one of the biggest in Australian flat racing history.
TRAVOLI completed a race-to-race double for the colours while STELLAR MAGIC, BETTER GET SET and CONTEMPTUOUS earned placings in their respective races at Doomben.
SECRET TALES is among our team of possible starters this week as is the returning GOTTA KISS in Saturday’s $125,000 3YO Quality Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm. The three-year-old filly was last seen finishing fifth in the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) on January 16.
GOTTA KISS’ winter carnival preparation is likely to culminate in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas, a race Proven Thoroughbreds and the O’Dea stable won in 2014 with SIR MOMENTS.
Of our debutants this week, Joe Pride will saddle up 3YO gelding CAPTURED IN TIME at Gosford on Thursday.
The Pride stable is high flying after EDUARDO bolted in by 3.5 lengths in the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) on Golden Slipper day. A relative newcomer to the stable, EDUARDO has now won four times in seven starts since swapping Melbourne for Sydney. The gelding’s revival of form is yet another example of Joe’s uncanny ability to uncover Group 1 sprinter-milers.
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BLACKBOOKER
No blackbooker this week.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Doomben Wednesday March 31
F&M Maiden Plate 1350m:
CENTRAL AMERICA
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Justin Huxtable
Comment: Slow into stride here last start when first-up from a long break. Made up solid ground in the straight to narrowly miss a place. Suited by the rise in trip.
Warwick Farm Wednesday March 31
BM72 1300m Handicap:
GREENSPAN
John Bateman/Sam Clipperton
Comment: First-up since October. Yet to win in six attempts fresh and likely to get too far back from a wide gate here. Drying track a plus.
Gosford Thursday April 1
C&G Maiden Handicap 1100m:
CAPTURED IN TIME
Joe Pride/Andrew Adkins
Comment: Hasn’t set the world on fire in his barrier trials but raceday is a different kettle of fish, particularly for Joe Pride-trained horses. Drawn well and doesn’t look to be an overly strong maiden.
Eagle Farm Saturday April 3
3YO Quality Handicap 1200m:
GOTTA KISS
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Stephanie Thornton
Comment: Doesn’t know how to run a bad race but does know how to find bad luck. Classy filly that Looks well placed to get back in the winners’ circle.
Class 6 Handicap 1000m:
KYLEASE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Stephanie Thornton
Comment: Didn’t handle the going at all last time out and weakened late to finish almost 11 lengths from the winner. Beaten in the shadows of the post over this track and distance two starts back.
QTIS 2YO Handicap 1400m:
SECRET TALES
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Stephanie Thornton
Comment: Absolutely demolished a small field at the Gold Coast last Saturday on a heavy (10). Different assignement awaits her here but clearly has potential.
Gold Coast Saturday April 3
Class 3 Handicap 1200m:
INVIGORATING
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Baylee Nothdurft
Comment: First-up since October. She’s a seasoned mare now, capable of pulling out a run fresh but will need a genuine tempo.
SO YOU SHOP
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Freshened since a midfield finish over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast. Broke his maiden here as a younger horse and appears to perform best when his races are spaced.
Kembla Saturday April 3
BM68 Handicap 1400m:
WAR DECK
John Bateman/TBA
Comment: Left a bit flat-footed dropping from a mile to 1300m last time. He was almost two months between runs that day so is sure to improve back up to a more suitable trip.
Sunshine Coast Sunday April 4
BM60 Handicap 1600m:
ENRIQUE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: Got the job done with a rails run at Grafton last start. Looks well placed and if he’s taken any confidence from that maiden-breaking win, he will be hard to beat in this.
Class 4 Handicap 1300m:
TOO HOT TO HOLD
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Stephanie Thornton
Comment: Consistent mare returning from a spell. Stretched out to 1800m last campaign and yet to win first-up in five starts so might need this hit-out.
Nowra Sunday April 4
BM66 Handicap 1400m:
WAR DECK
John Bateman/TBA
Comment: Left a bit flat-footed dropping from a mile to 1300m last time. He was almost two months between runs that day so is sure to improve back up to a more suitable trip.
Wagga Monday April 5
Class 2 Handicap 1400m:
BOMBARDEO
John Bateman/TBA
Comment: Just over two lengths from the winner at Canberra on March 8. Should be hard fit now and get his chance with luck in running.
Doomben Monday April 5
Class 1 Plate 1650m:
ENRIQUE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: Got the job done with a rails run at Grafton last start. Looks well placed and if he’s taken any confidence from that maiden-breaking win, he will be hard to beat in this.
F&M BM65 Handicap 1200m:
TOO HOT TO HOLD
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Baylee Nothdurft
Comment: Consistent mare returning from a spell. Stretched out to 1800m last campaign and yet to win first-up in five starts so might need this hit-out.
BM65 Handicap 1200m:
SO YOU SHOP
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Freshened since a midfield finish over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast. Broke his maiden here as a younger horse and appears to perform best when his races are spaced.
QTIS 2YO Maiden Handicap:
VANTAN EXPRESS
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Baylee Nothdurft
Comment: Shown promise at the trials. If he can convert that to raceday he’s sure to be in the mix.
MERSEYSIDE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Stephanie Thornton
Comment: Nice filly likely to need time but has been trialling well ahead of her debut.
