As the dust settles on THINK ABOUT IT’s thrilling victory in the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) we look ahead to another busy week of runners, five of which will be contesting stakes races.
The Joe Pride-trained THINK ABOUT IT enhanced his incredible record to eight wins from just nine starts when graduating to Group 1 weight-for-age company at Eagle Farm last Saturday. It was Proven’s 22nd stakes winner since 2021 and fourth horse to break through the million dollar prizemoney barrier in the same period.
It’s now all systems go to the $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) back at Eagle Farm on June 10 where THINK ABOUT IT will plunge in weight to 54kg. Proven Thoroughbreds will also be represented by the Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted-trained SCALLOPINI (55.5kg) in Queensland’s flagship race.
As for this week, we have a host of other starters to look forward to, starting with 3YO filly MOUNT WARNING at Newcastle on Tuesday and concluding with a quintet of stakes horses at Eagle Farm’s QLD Oaks meeting.
STROLL, CONTEMPTUOUS, OCEAN TREATY, RED RUBI (pictured) and BETTER GET SET will all be racing for a slice of black type on Saturday as co-trainers Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted look to build on their Brisbane winter carnival success.
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BLACK BOOKER
RICH LISTER was having her first run in 9 months at Doomben last Wednesday and lost no admirers when finishing three lengths astern of the winner. The daughter of RICH ENUFF had to make a long sustained run from near the tail of the field as the leaders came home in a slick 33.25 seconds so her task was made impossible. She would have taken a good deal of fitness improvement from the run and there are plenty of suitable races upcoming for her.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Newcastle Tuesday May 30
BM64 Handicap 1250m
MOUNT WARNING
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Slowly away last start and had to come wide in the straight before finishing ok in fourth. Back to provincial class from an inside draw, expecting her to lead and take some catching.
Sunshine Coast Friday June 2
QTIS 3YO Maiden Handicap 1400m
DEEP UNDERCOVER
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: No luck at all on debut when caught wide at Ipswich, then went to Gatton and finished on the heels of the placegetters. Up to 1400m now and should get a chance to put herself in the race.
Eagle Farm Saturday June 3
Magic Millions National Classic 1600m/Listed Spear Chief Handicap 1500m
OCEAN TREATY
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: Found the line strongly first-up over 1350m at Doomben and boasts an exceptional second-up record (6:4-01) however this will be her toughest test to date.
G2 Moreton Cup 1200m
CONTEMPTUOUS
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Jaden Lloyd (a)
Comment: Ultra consistent horse resuming from a spell. Goes well fresh and is a two-time winner here but will need to be at his best in what looks a strong race on paper.
Listed Queensland Day Stakes 1200m
STROLL
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Jason Collett
Comment: Two-time stakes winning filly back from a break. Beaten only three-quarters of a length when first-up last preparation and brings strong formlines having claimed the scalps of SUNSHINE IN PARIS and CHINNY BOOM in the summer.
Listed Lightning Handicap 1000m
RED RUBI
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Jaden Lloyd (a)
Comment: Not seen since August last year, having endured a couple of setbacks. Has trialled well leading into this and really came of age last campaign, highlighted by a brilliant win over this course and distance in class 6 company.
BETTER GET SET
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: Another well performed mare first-up from an extended break. Broke through in stakes company in December when winning the Listed Just Now over 1300m here. Normally runs well fresh but may find some others a bit sharper over 1000m.
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Real horses, real races, real cash prizes.
It’s an exciting and fun ‘pay to play’ online game (developed in Australia by a fellow horse racing enthusiast) tied to the excitement of real-world horse racing.
Download the app, enter your stable name and draft up to 15 horses for a race meeting (don’t miss the big Brisbane game for the Stradbroke on June 10).
It’s only $19.90 per game. Using your horse racing knowledge and skill, and with a bit of luck, compete against other players on the leaderboard to win cash prizes.
Sign up today! There’s a free game on Wednesdays to practice your strategy. Find out more at https://group1sports.com/
