As the dust settles on PRIVATE EYE’s brilliant return to racing, we look ahead to busy week with our Queensland stable.
The Joe Pride-trained PRIVATE EYE secured a start in The Everest for the second consecutive year just 24 hours after an outstanding win in the $1 million Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday.
He is joined by stablemate THINK ABOUT IT as a confirmed starter in the world’s richest race on turf back at Randwick on October 14. For Proven Thoroughbreds to have two live chances in the race is something we are still coming to terms with!
This week should give us a chance to catch our breath as the focus switches to our QLD contingent with Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted.
Starting at Doomben’s midweek meeting, Proven will be represented by AFFECTIONATE and MERSEYSIDE while Toowoomba’s feature meeting on Saturday will see SECRET TALES return to the races.
Then at the Sunshine Coast’s Sunday meeting, BETTER YET and THATFEELSBETTER are set to face the starter.
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BLACK BOOKER
HOOD RIVER may have finished 8th last Thursday at Kembla Grange but was only beaten 3.9 lengths and ran the 3rd fastest last 400m of the race. It was a marked improvement on her debut run at Newcastle where she finished more than 6 lengths in arrears of the winner. At this early stage of her career she just lacks race craft but with time she will continue to improve because the clock suggests trainer Joe Pride has something to work with.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Doomben Wednesday September 20
Class 2 Handicap 2060m
AFFECTIONATE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Jaden Lloyd
Comment: Gets out to a distance that should suit. Was back in the ruck last time and couldn’t make an impression on the leaders. Prior to that she looped the field to win well over a mile at the Sunshine Coast. Gives the impression she needs space to make one uninterrupted run at her opposition.
BM65 Handicap 1350m
MERSEYSIDE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Cejay Graham (a2)
Comment: Couldn’t get a crack at them first-up, almost getting onto heels over the concluding stages. Extra distance helps and has been runner-up in all three second-up starts to date. Due for a change of luck.
Toowoomba Saturday September 23
F&M BM75 Handicap 1200m
SECRET TALES
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Jag Guthmann-Chester
Comment: Usually takes a run or two to come to hand. First-up last preparation she finished more than five lengths off the winner over 1300m at Eagle Farm. Yet to win below 1300m in 19 career starts so likely to be running on without threatening.
Sunshine Coast Sunday September 24
Class 4 Handicap 1000m
THATFEELSBETTER
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Solid return when third to BEAST MODE over the 1000m at Eagle Farm earlier this month. Not a noted performer second-up but last win came over this track and distance. Looks well placed in this grade.
BM62 Handicap 1400m
BETTER YET
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Consistent type still on the up. Resumes here off a decent spell and won over this course and distance at the end of last preparation.
