Everest day is here and our two-time placegetter of the $20million feature, PRIVATE EYE, is all set to go around again.
All eyes will be on the sky as the seven-year-old performs a reverse rain dance. He’s a noted dry tracker that has taken longer than normal to get to peak fitness this prep which is not uncommon for older geldings. However, it was the same old story at the barrier draw on Tuesday night, as PRIVATE EYE came up with gate 10, continuing a horror run of wide alleys in big races.
Still on the Everest, and last year’s winner THINK ABOUT IT will most likely run in the Sydney Stakes (1200m) otherwise known as the “Everest consolation”. Unfortunately, he too has been dealt a barrier blow, drawing 16 of 18 on Wednesday morning.
Trainer Joe Pride has indicated publicly that both horses will go forward from their wide draws and hopefully find a favourable position near the speed.
Rounding out Proven’s trio of runners on Everest day is STOCKMAN in the St Leger Stakes (2600m) – a race he won in 2022 en route to his unlucky eighth placing in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
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SIRE ON FIRE – TAVISTOCK
Sired the G1 winner across the ditch SNAZZYTAVI and is also the broodmare sire of MR BRIGHTSIDE who was game in defeat behind the underrated DENY KNOWLEDGE. This Saturday at Randwick he’ll be represented by Epsom hero CEOWULF in the $5million King Charles (1600m).
BLACK BOOKER – KING’S SECRET
PRIVATE EYE’s 3yo half brother put in a slashing trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday morning. He’s set to make his debut in a 1000m maiden at Hawkesbury next Thursday and is expected to run well.
BET WITH NIC
Times analyst Nic Ashman has given us his play in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup. His tips in this article now sit at 15 winners from 21 selections.
“With the Final Field out and no more Futures betting available, I have to say the race sets up well for DENY KNOWLEDGE on a dry track. She ran sensational time leading all the way in the G1 Might And Power last Saturday and drops 6.5kg. If the rain comes then DUKE DE SESSA loves wet ground and wasn’t far off VIA SISTINA in the Turnbull.”
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Doomben Wednesday October 16
Class 1 Handicap 1350m
SECOND SUN
Matt Hoysted/Jag Guthmann-Chester
Comment: Resumes and will be better over further but we liked the way he went out on a winning note and he won a recent trial suggesting the penny has dropped. Should be running on hard.
Ipswich Friday October 18
3YO Maiden Plate 800m
SKYPORT LANE
Matt Hoysted/Andrew Mallyon
Comment: Resuming. Only run to date possibly should have finished closer producing the best late splits of the race. Recent trial was a tad lacklustre but this race looks winnable.
Maiden Plate 800m
BOARD MEMBER
Matt Hoysted/Fiona Sandkuhl
Comment: First-up. Tackled a high rating maiden on debut last prep. If she runs to that figure she should be in the money here. Nice trial win recently too.
Randwick Saturday October 19
The Everest 1200m
PRIVATE EYE
Joe Pride/Jay Ford
Comment: Has placed in this race over the last two years and a track rated soft 5 or better will have us confident he can run top 3 again. Our times analyst Nic Ashman remarked “he still has improvement judging by his late sectionals” after his 1.6L defeat in The Shorts.
Sydney Stakes 1200m
THINK ABOUT IT
Joe Pride/Jason Collett
Comment: Horrible barrier yet again but you have to remember he won the Everest last year and had a forgiving autumn. First-up run this campaign struck one of the slowest run races in a Sydney metro sprint race and he sat last. Hopefully we find out if he’s back to his best this weekend. We think he is.
G2 Hill Stakes 1900m
STOCKMAN
Joe Pride/Reece Jones
Comment: Veteran stayer who has won this race previously. Some rain forecast for the week will be music to his ears. We think he’ll be close to peaking on the quick back-up.
Eagle Farm Saturday October 19
BM68 Handicap 1400m
CARTWHEELS
Matt Hoysted/Andrew Mallyon
Comment: Resumes and is yet to miss a Quinella finish in 5 starts. Placed at only two starts in BM68 grade and looked to have a bit in reserve in recent trial. Big chance.
