Proven Thoroughbreds ushered in the new season with SALTOREE breaking her maiden in fine style at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.
At the first metropolitan meeting of the 2021-22 term, the Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted-trained mare saluted in the 1000m maiden, ending a frustrating sequence of three consecutive seconds.
Ridden by Stephanie Thornton, SALTOREE landed behind the speed in the seven-horse field before commencing a run along the rails at the top of the straight.
After being held up for a few strides, the daughter of NOT A SINGLE DOUBT was eased off heels and wore down the long-time leader to score by three-quarters of a length.
Being a three-quarter sister to Group 1 winner SECRET AGENDA, Wednesday’s victory was an important milestone in SALTOREE’s broodmare prospects.
But having only just turned four, this lightly raced mare still has plenty of racing ahead of her.
She was a 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling purchase and like FETCH and KYLEASE, is out of a LONHRO mare.
Proven’s tally of winners for the calendar year has now climbed to 34.