Doubles Saturday and Wednesday continued the exceptional Proven winter but there are few things more encouraging in racing, than a debut win. Thursday at Kembla, trainer Kerry Parker produced TAKE YOU THERE for the first time and she didn’t disappoint.
The gavel falling on $120,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale back in 2022 was our first introduction to the Coolmore bred MERCHANT NAVY filly. Little did we know what lay ahead.
During her breaking in the filly degloved her hind leg in a paddock accident that could well have curtailed any potential racing career. However, excellent medical care by the Hawkesbury Veterinary Clinic set her on the path for a full recovery which was diligently overseen by Jamie & Katrina Middleton and vet Ken Jacobs on the undulating slopes of Redbank North over several pain staking months.
Kerry magnanimously took on the training of the filly when it became apparent that she couldn’t be syndicated after such a significant injury. Demonstrating the patience he’s renowned for, Kerry gave the 3yo several preparations before launching her career.
TAKE YOU THERE degloved her hind leg & lost her tendon in a paddock accident as a yearling so we couldn’t sell any shares in her. Fast forward 2 years & she wins on debut! @kjparkerracing magnanimously took on the training of this filly & has defied the odds! @racing_nsw… pic.twitter.com/IE3z60YoAI
— PR🟢VEN Thoroughbreds (@ProvenTbreds) July 18, 2024
And what a pleasing start! Off the bridle 700m out in the 1200m Midway Maiden, TAKE YOU THERE displayed admirable determination, finding plenty under rider Lee Magorrian who had this to say post-race.
“Everytime I asked she kept responding and responding. Think when this filly gets out to a mile, she’ll be a nice progressive horse.”
Kerry was pleasantly surprised to see her so competitive at 1200m, fully expecting her to need 1400m to figure in the finish. So, given her stout female family this filly looks likely to run at least a middle distance.
The victory was Proven’s 5th in 5 days, 37th for the calendar year and 57th for the soon to be concluded 23/24 season.
