Proven Thoroughbreds opened its 2023 account with a winning double at the Sunshine Coast on Friday night.
The first of our two runners at the meeting was the debutant ZOOCUPOLA, who showed admirable determination to stave off a wall of horses and win the 1000m Maiden Handicap.
Rider Ben Thompson certainly earned his money in the race, as ZOOCUPOLA was quite wayward in the run home.
But the son of ZOUSTAR’s determination over the concluding stages made up for his lack of experience.
Now a summer 4YO, ZOOCUPOLA had the start of his career significantly delayed due to injury but his patient owners stuck by him and were rewarded with Friday’s victory.
Proven and the O’Dea-Hoysted stable bookended the meeting after THATFEELSBETTER resumed with a strong win in the 1000m Class 3 Handicap.
Apprentice Jaden Lloyd rode the gelding patiently from an awkward barrier and the pair came with a blistering finish to score by half a length, clocking the fastest final 600m of the meeting.
The younger brother of stakes winning stablemate BETTER GET SET (also raced by Proven), has taken a while to get his head around the racing caper but looks to be hitting his straps now as a 4YO of 11 starts.
