Not since his St Leger triumph 13 runs ago on Everest Day last year, had the old warrior STOCKMAN graced even the placegetter’s circle, let alone the winner’s!
However a soft surface on his favourite circuit, an unrelenting Reece Jones ride, and maybe a little help upstairs from his late part owner Gerard Green (who’d sadly passed earlier this year), combined to produce some early festive cheer in Saturday’s Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.
In a fast run contest, the 7yo came from a long way back sustaining a strong run under a vigorous Jones, to claim the narrowest of victories in front of a delighted clan of owners. Indeed, Newcastle resident Drew Vercoe had never been present for any of his eight prior victories.
On this occasion, it was the trainer Joe Pride who was unsighted on Saturday. Whilst Joe enjoys a rare family holiday in Japan, the Pride stable had a day out, recording a Saturday treble including the Starlight Stakes (DRAGONSTONE) to supplement STOCKMAN’s fourth stakes victory.
To label 2023 a vintage year for Proven, would be an understatement in the extreme. With 49 winners and $18.3m in prizemoney including an Everest and 10 Stakes successes, the year has been unprecedented.
To return results of this calibre is testimony to the hard work put in by so many involved with our three trainers (Joe Pride, Steve O’Dea/Matt Hoysted & Kerry Parker), to say nothing of the Proven team’s contribution.
Whilst not wanting this stunning 12 months to end, we look forward with great anticipation to 2024!
