Following a sequence of four unplaced runs, the Joe Pride-trained INDEFENSIBLE burst back to form with a withering finish at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
The big chestnut mare had been down the course in her two runs this preparation, but the good Kembla surface, significant drop in grade, blinker application again and a patient Jeff Penza ride, contrived to provide the perfect storm for another victory.
Like all multiple winners, patterns and preferences emerge as their careers unfold. INDEFENSIBLE, despite winning at 1100 and 1200m, is becoming somewhat of a 1000m specialist, ridden quietly on dry tracks.
“She got a bit detached from the field after beginning okay,” exclaimed jockey Jeff Penza in the winners’ circle.
“They went pretty quick and by the time we got to the home turn, she was ready to go. And then she really unleashed in the straight, a really powerful finish today.”
Saturday’s 1000m BM64 was the rising five-year-old’s fourth win from 14 starts, quite a handy record. However, those triumphs have been interspersed with some inexplicable failures that have left trainer Joe Pride a little perplexed.
Finding the right circumstances is therefore a challenge as evidenced by the ALL TOO HARD mare’s previous failures this campaign and at the back end of her last time in work.
Placement of horses is a critical part of training and after nominating for Randwick and Eagle Farm on the same day, Joe took the Kembla option to produce the right result.
INDEFENSIBLE was purchased for $90,000 from Golden Grove’s draft at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
It was the ninth trip to the Champagne bar for the Proven team in July, which has boosted the seasonal tally of winners to 47 with a few days remaining in 2025/26.
