Top stayer STOCKMAN begins his Sydney Cup quest in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes at Randwick this Saturday.
While he’s unlikely to trouble the scorer first-up over 1400m, the Joe Pride-trained gelding has been impressing in all of his preliminary work this campaign.
“I think he’s come back stronger again and that’s also the feedback I’ve been getting from the riders,” Pride said.
STOCKMAN started an $8 second favourite in last year’s Sydney Cup, but a wide barrier and leader-biased track consigned him to a 7th place finish.
Following Saturday’s Apollo Stakes run, the son of TAVISTOCK will head to the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) back at Randwick on February 25 to advance his preparation.
Proven’s other runners this week include first starters NAVAL TRADER and CHICANE as well as the airborne THINK ABOUT IT – who will be shooting for five wins from six career starts should he take his place in the 1300m BM88 at Randwick’s Saturday meeting. The alternative is to wait another week for a 1400m BM78 Handicap at Rosehill.
This Sunday the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale gets underway following the auction house’s game-changing prizemoney incentive announcement. More information on this fantastic innovation can be found HERE.
Share prices on our four acquisitions from last month’s NZB Karaka Sale have now been confirmed. For more details you can visit our AVAILABLE HORSES page.
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BLACK BOOKER
Hard to imagine POLARISING will be a maiden for long. Short of winning, the 3YO filly couldn’t have done more on debut when finishing a game runner-up to stablemate SPIRIT QUEEN at the Sunshine Coast last Friday. Significantly, the pair finished 5.5 lengths clear of the third placegetter while the overall time for the race was clearly the quickest of three 1000m events held at the meeting. Everything points to her being better than maiden company so would think she will be hard to beat next time out.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Warwick Tuesday Feb 7
3YO Maiden Handicap 1200m:
BETTER YET
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Emily Lang (a2)
Comment: Trials would suggest she has come back a much stronger filly this time in. Lightly-raced and on the up. Should be hard to beat if she can bring her trial form to raceday pressure.
Class 3 Handicap 1350m:
VANTAN EXPRESS
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Emily Lang (a2)
Comment: Been below par in two runs back this preparation but is afforded an attractive drop in class here and gets in well with the claim.
Eagle Farm Wednesday Feb 8
Class 5 Plate 1300m:
SECRET TALES
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Nikita Beriman
Comment: Resuming. First-up last campaign she was four lengths astern of the winner over 1350m at Doomben. Prefer to wait until she gets over further and on softer ground.
Maiden Handicap 1200m:
NAVAL TRADER
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Jaden Lloyd (a1.5)
Comment: Unraced 3YO gelding by MERCHANT NAVY. Trials have been sound and drawn to get favours in the run.
Class 1 Handicap 1200m:
ZOOCUPOLA
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Brodie Loy
Comment: Impressive winner on debut over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast last month before an honest fourth over the same track and distance. Looks ready for 1200m now.
Randwick Saturday Feb 11
Group 2 Apollo Stakes 1400m:
STOCKMAN
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Strikes a hot Group 2 field to open his autumn campaign and doubt the track will be to his liking but he has come back well and expecting him to hitting the line strongly.
BM88 Handicap 1300m:
THINK ABOUT IT
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: In irresistible form and will plunge in the weights as he shoots for five wins from his first six starts. Should he run, one would think he will be the one to beat again.
Doomben Saturday Feb 11
Class 6 Plate 1600m:
OCEAN TREATY
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: First-up she got back and was never a threat in a leader-dominated affair over 1350m at Doomben. Much better suited up to a mile at Eagle Farm and is a three time winner when second-up.
Sunshine Coast Sunday February 12
Maiden Plate 1200m:
CHICANE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Shown steady improvement in his trials, the latest being a close-up second at Doomben. 1200m looks a suitable starting point for this 3YO gelding.
