Another busy week awaits Proven Thoroughbreds with a host of runners preceding the start of the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale on Sunday.
Inspections are underway at Oaklands and Proven will be hoping to source another THINK ABOUT IT, who was secured for only $70,000 from Newgate Farm’s draft at the 2020 sale before establishing himself as one of the most promising horses in the country last Saturday with his dominant victory in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick.
The 4YO’s record now reads six wins from seven starts and trainer Joe Pride has set his sights firmly on the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June.
Meanwhile our other Pride stable star PRIVATE EYE is all set to contest the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday week after finishing fourth in a trial at Rosehill on Monday. The $6.2 million earner will likely travel down to Melbourne next Thursday.
As for our runners this week, the Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted-trained MERSEYSIDE returns to the scene of her last start win at the Sunshine Coast on Friday before unraced stablemate SPIN DOCTOR (pictured) lines up in the QTIS Jewel 2YO Prelude (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Proven already has one potential runner in the $500,000 QTIS Jewel in SHOT OF WHISKEY, an impressive debut winner at the Sunshine Coast last Sunday.
The stable is attempting to win back-to-back editions of the lucrative event after SHE’S GOT THE BOOM’s triumph last year.
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BLACK BOOKER
STOCKMAN looks ready to defend his Sky High Stakes crown after a strong second-up run in the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) last Saturday. Despite finishing 10th, only ANAMOE and MONTEFILIA ran a faster last 600m. When he won the Sky High last year the track was a heavy (8) so obviously some rain at Rosehill in two weeks would be welcomed.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Doomben Wednesday Mar 1
Maiden Plate 1200m:
NAVAL TRADER
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Jaden Lloyd
Comment: Game in defeat on debut when going down narrowly over the 1200m Eagle Farm course. The quinella gapped the third placed runner, suggesting the form hold up. Fitter and more experienced so worthy of favouritism.
QTIS BM70 Handicap 1350m:
SECRET TALES
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Nikita Beriman
Comment: Never a factor first-up over 1300m at Eagle Farm where the leaders dashed home in 34.10 seconds. Has good second-up record (3:2-0-0) and should be within striking distance in this small field.
Sunshine Coast Friday Mar 3
Class 4 Handicap 1400m:
MERSEYSIDE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Got the job done over this track and distance last start and looks well placed with 57kg in this company. Yet to miss a place in four runs this prep so must come into calculations again.
QTIS 3YO Maiden Plate 1400m:
CHICANE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Nothing went right for him on debut but hit the line solidly after being held up for a run in the straight. Can only improve from that outing and gives the impression he is looking for the 1400m.
BETTER YET
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Been narrowly defeated in almost identical circumstances in two runs back this preparation. A more conservative ride might see her find the necessary improvement to break through.
Hawkesbury Saturday Mar 4
Maiden Handicap 1300m:
HEDGE FUND
Kerry Parker/TBA
Comment: Excellent first-up run at Hawkesbury when resuming from a long injury-enforced break. Suspect he was in the worst part of the track on that day and is certainly capable of going one better.
Eagle Farm Saturday Mar 4
QTIS Jewel 2YO Prelude 1000m:
SPIN DOCTOR
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: First starter who has impressed in all of his preliminary work. Only got out late in a recent trial but hit the line with plenty of gusto. Takes on more experienced rivals here but could spring a surprise.
