Any victory by a debutante is an easy watch and so it was at Eagle Farm Friday when KARAOKE QUEEN lengthened beautifully down the long Eagle Farm straight to reign in stablemate and favourite, MISS SEATTLE in the shadows of the post.
The Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted-trained filly drew a bit awkwardly so from the 1000m chute, rider Boris Thornton was forced to ease in the early stages to take a trail. She was then bumped by another runner to her inside coming to the turn but the RUBICK 3YO recovered quickly.
“To her credit, it didn’t really affect her,” said Thornton.
“I gave her a slap at the top of the straight and initially I thought she’d just keep whacking away. But as soon as I put one round her tail she really lifted and found for me. I think she’s got a lot of potential.”
A $60k purchase at the 2020 Magic Millions Sale from Eureka Stud, KARAOKE QUEEN now looks likely to graduate to better races after being a bit soft early on. Steve and Matt gave her a couple of preparations prior to producing her.
“She got to the jumpouts and trials but we just tipped her out to give her the time that she needed. She definitely came back stronger this time in and I think she can only improve,” an impressed O’Dea explained after preparing the quinella.
The victory was PROVEN’s 7th of the season and 40th for the calendar year. She is also our fifth winner by RUBICK from our last 10 winners.