Rain wreaked havoc in South-East Queensland last week and now it appears Sydney is set for a drenching which has thrown a spanner in the works for many of our upcoming runners.
Whilst the likes of STOCKMAN and the resuming IN FLIGHT (pictured) will appreciate a rain-affected track at Rosehill on Saturday, the same can’t be said for PRIVATE EYE, who as usual has drawn off the track in the meeting’s feature race – the Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m).
The lightly-raced INDEFENSIBLE is also unlikely to relish wet conditions so we are hoping the rain stays away before she returns to Canterbury on Friday night for her second career start.
Our best chance this week appears to be SECOND SUN at Ipswich on Thursday. Though trainer Matt Hoysted has been forced to scratch multiple times due to rain, the 4yo gelding strikes a winnable race in the 1666m Class 1, albeit he will need some luck from a wide barrier.
It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks for our colours with ZATANNA, NAVAL TRADER and ACCREDITED all beaten as favourites, the latter two of which were particularly unlucky.
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SIRE ON FIRE – SNITZEL
The old champion has been showing his younger rivals at thing or two of late – filling the quinella in the a 2yo race on Wednesday as well as siring juvenile stakes winner RETURN TO CONQUER in NZ on Saturday.
BLACK BOOKER – ACCREDITED
How could our blackbooker not be this horse!? Went down in a desperately close photo finish after being held up for most of the straight when first-up at Canterbury last Friday. The commentary suggested he would go down as one of the best things beaten this year and it’s hard to disagree. Only needs an ounce of luck next time out to be winning in similar company.
BET WITH NIC
Times analyst Nic Ashman’s popular weekly tip has moved to a separate article that will be published every Thursday on the Proven website. His best bet around the country on Saturday will be revealed plus a link to subscribe to his full package of tips across the metropolitan meetings. His record speaks for itself with 16 winners from 25 selections!
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Ipswich Thursday November 28
Class 1 Handicap 1666m
SECOND SUN
Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Been forced to mark time due to the spate of wet tracks in South-East QLD. Won here over a similar trip in good time and he looks ready to win again after two runs back but will need luck from the outside draw.
Canterbury Friday November 29
BM64 Handicap 1250m
ELLE HUDSON
Joe Pride/Regan Bayliss
Comment: Promising middle distance horse resuming. First-up last prep struck a fast maiden at Kembla. With the right race shape he could be competitive but likely to need further.
Maiden Plate 1250m
INDEFENSIBLE
Joe Pride/Jay Ford
Comment: Solid effort here on debut when beaten just over 3L. She still beat the class benchmark by 2L and should find the extra distance to her liking.
Sunshine Coast Friday November 29
QTIS 3YO Maiden Plate 1000m
SKYPORT LANE
Matt Hoysted/Nikita Beriman
Comment: Also accepted for Toowoomba Saturday but is 7th emergency there. Solid enough on debut then might not have handled the Poly track at the Gold Coast last time. Chance back on the turf surface.
Rosehill Saturday November 30
L ATC Cup 2000m
STOCKMAN
Joe Pride/Reece Jones
Comment: His best ratings are over this course and distance and two starts ago over this route he got close to FAWKNER PARK on a good track. Now gets the wet ground he needs. Great 1 x 3 bet.
G3 Festival Stakes 1500m
PRIVATE EYE
Joe Pride/Nash Rawiller
Comment: Dual Everest placegetter that is being tested back out to this distance for the first time since spring 2022. The likelihood of a wet track works against him but he needs the run ahead of The Ingham in a fortnight.
L Starlight Stakes 1100m
IN FLIGHT
Joe Pride/Jay Ford
Comment: First-up after stringing together three wins on the bounce last preparation. Though this is a substantial step up in grade, she handles a wet track and has drawn well.
Sunshine Coast Sunday December 1
Maiden Handicap 1400m
DEJA ZOU
Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: A bit plain on debut over 1200m clocking a time that was 5L below benchmark average. Will strip fitter and improve out to 1400m but needs to find a few lengths.
Dalby Monday December 2
BM65 Handicap 1100m
BOARD MEMBER
Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Strong win recording a last 200m that was 4L faster than average for the grade. Trialled since to keep up to the mark. Looks hard to beat against these.