Proven Thoroughbreds and Pride Racing are well placed to claim back to back editions of the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) at Randwick this Saturday.
Defending champion IN FLIGHT (pictured) is one of three Proven/Pride entries for the race, joining THE BLACK CLOUD and ACCREDITED. With some uncertainty around track conditions, IN FLIGHT and THE BLACK CLOUD have also accepted in Brisbane for the Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) and Listed Lightning Handicap (1000m) respectively.
The Matt Hoysted-trained CHAMPAGNE LANE is another acceptor at Eagle Farm’s feature meeting, being amongst the 17 starters for the Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m) for 3yos.
In the meantime, last start winners OBSIDIAN DREAM, TOWN CRIER and PONTEVICO are all set to return to competition this week while 3yo gelding HARD LINER makes his debut at Warwick Farm Wednesday.
Nic Ashman’s latest SECTIONALS REVIEW article analyses PRIVATE EYE’s run in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup plus SHOT OF WHISKEY’s drought-breaking win last Wednesday.
Information on all of Proven’s latest acquisitions can be viewed on our AVAILABLE HORSES page.
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SIRE ON FIRE – EXTREME CHOICE
It would appear this freakish sire has yet another stallion prospect on his hands in the shape of last Saturday’s Group 2 BRC Sires Produce Stakes winner BERZELIUS. That’s EXTREME CHOICE’s third stakes winning 2yo colt this season, joining PARADOXIUM and HIDRIX.
BLACK BOOKER – RULE THE NIGHT
A most pleasing debut from this 2yo gelding by WILD RULER. He never travelled in the soft 7 conditions at Eagle Farm but still had the class to produce the fastest last 600m and 400m of the meeting, finishing an eye-catching 2nd to the more experienced RUN LIKE A GIRL. This performance was indicative of a horse that will get over much further than 1200m.
RUNNERS THIS WEEK
Doomben Wednesday Jun 3
Class 4 Plate 1200m
BREAK FREE
Matt Hoysted/Jag Guthmann-Chester
Comment: Knocking on the door for another win following two sound runs back from a spell. Small field here suits and if the track is playing fairly, she can storm over the top of these.
Warwick Farm Wednesday Jun 3
Maiden Plate 1100m
HARD LINER
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: First starter. A wide barrier and wet track on debut is far from the perfect set-up but he’s ready for the races now and has a home ground advantage. The half-brother was adept in rain-affected going which gives some confidence he will handle the conditions.
BM72 Handicap 1600m
ELLE HUDSON
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Second-up following a career-best first-up effort over 1300m here a fortnight ago. Has only placed one in four previous second-up runs so may need this run before peaking next start over further.
Hawkesbury Thursday Jun 4
Class 1 Handicap 1500m
OBSIDIAN DREAM
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Broke her maiden smartly over the 1400m course here last month when leading all the way for Clipperton. Another 100m looks within her range and is proven in the wet.
Ipswich Thursday Jun 4
F&M Class 2 Plate 1200m
SEISMIC BOOM
Matt Hoysted/Jag Guthmann-Chester
Comment: Hopelessly held up at the Sunshine Coast last start where it looked like she had plenty to give as favourite before finishing 2.85 lengths from the winner. Capable of bouncing back with some luck in running.
Randwick Saturday Jun 6
L Bob Charley AO Stakes 1100m
ACCREDITED
Joe Pride/Nash Rawiller
Comment: Has a very good fresh record however this is at the lower end of his preferred distance range and would need the track to improve to be at his best here. Will likely have to go back from the wide gate.
IN FLIGHT
Joe Pride/Andrew Adkins
Comment: Classy mare who has the advantage of barrier one and a preference for rain-affected tracks. Up 4.5kg on the 55kg she carried to victory in this race last year.
THE BLACK CLOUD
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Didn’t get much luck in the Listed Bright Shadow Stakes at Doomben last start, only getting clear running late in the home straight. Back to Randwick now where she has finished in the quinella on four occasions.
Eagle Farm Saturday Jun 6
L Queensland Day Stakes 1200m
CHAMPAGNE LANE
Matt Hoysted/Jason Collett
Comment: Had no luck first-up at Doomben and then didn’t handle heavy conditions at Eagle Farm last start. Returns to stakes company for the first time since finishing 4th in the Mode Plate in December. Drawn well and gets onto firmer footing here. Each-way.
L Lightning Handicap 1000m
THE BLACK CLOUD
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Didn’t get much luck in the Listed Bright Shadow Stakes at Doomben last start, only getting clear running late in the home straight. Won the Listed Bribie Handicap over this track and distance during the summer.
G2 Moreton Cup 1200m
IN FLIGHT
Joe Pride/Craig Williams
Comment: Got too far back from a wide gate in the Victory Stakes and took no part. Has won a trial since back at Warwick Farm and a low barrier this time gives her every chance to run out a strong 1200m, like she did in the Sapphire Stakes during the autumn.
BM85 Handicap 1200m
TOWN CRIER
Matt Hoysted/Fiona Sandkuhl (a3)
Comment: Tough on pacer coming off his seventh career win. Drawn the middle here and will no doubt make the most of the 3kg claim again by showing the way in front. His last three runs over this track and distance have returned a win, narrow 2nd and a 4th, beaten 1.1 lengths.
NAVAL TRADER
Matt Hoysted/Jason Collett
Comment: Veteran gelding resuming from a break. Will likely have to go right back from the wide gate but always seems to pull out a run fresh, despite remaining winless in seven attempts (has placed five times).
Sunshine Coast Sunday Jun 7
QTIS BM65 Handicap 1400m
PONTEVICO
Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Looked impressive breaking his maiden over 1200m here last month, coming from near last on the turn to win by three-quarters of a length. Has trained on well since then and 1400m looks right up his alley.
Maiden Handicap 1200m
LOVE REBEL
Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Made some late ground first-up over 1100m at the Gold Coast on a soft (6). Will appreciate getting out to 1200m on a bigger track now.
