Last week Proven Thoroughbreds showed that a dash of 14th-century poetry and a slice of Pythagorean philosophy still holds up.
The phrase “patience is a virtue” dates back to the 14th century, appearing in William Langland’s poem Piers Plowman. Considered a medieval proverb suggesting that patience is a high moral standard and a beneficial quality for life.
Pythagorean philosophy considered “Septad”, or as we know it, 7, as the lucky number. Pythagoreans, followers of the great philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, believed the number seven represented perfection — the completion of a cycle.
Proven Thoroughbreds went the full cycle last week having their patience tested waiting 7 days for a winner, MELTDOWN at Warwick on Monday, who was also their 7th runner for the week.
Yes, I’ve drawn a long bow there, but humour me. In a past life I was a Pythagorean who occasionally trod the boards in Shakespeare. Langland was one of the early architects of the English literary tradition that would later influence the Bard. His writing tackled truth, social justice and corruption within the church. In modern racing language, Langland was the journalist who wasn’t afraid of the establishment — calling out injustice and leaving behind phrases that stuck.
The week began on Thursday with IN CIRLCES at Hawkesbury. The daughter of TORONADO was on debut over 1000m and did a good job to finish 2nd behind the race-fit INFANT WARRIOR. That said, the race rated poorly suggesting the filly is best placed sticking to the provincials to break her maiden for now.
At the same meeting, WILD THOUGHTS resumed in the Provincial Championship Qualifier over 1400m. He was back towards the tail as they came around the turn and got baulked for a run in the straight. There is little doubt he should’ve finished 2L closer, which possibly would’ve netted him 3rd place. The time was sharp being 8L above standard but we do expect that from these types of races on the provincial circuit. Regardless, WILD THOUGHTS is one to follow.
Stakes winning stayer FLYING BANDIT was another to resume over 1400m but this time at Saturday’s Rosehill meeting. His BM94 contest was run at a farcical speed with the leader going almost 6L below standard through the first 800m. Its impossible for a horse with his speed profile to figure in a race over that trip with that shape. Be wary of him jumping out of the ground second-up.
COSMONOVA will no doubt try and grab a valuable stakes placing this preparation after going close at Gosford during the spring. She’s rarely far away first-up and that was the case again when she was 4th to KERGUELEN over 1100m in one of the best rating races of the day. Her time of 1.03:2 was still more than 1L inside standard time. She also recorded the 2nd fastest last 800 at the meeting. This was the best fresh rating of her career and potentially indicative of a horse that will go to a new level this campaign.
Matt Hoysted took the city placed EMPHATIQUE to the Gold Coast on Saturday. Forced to go back from the gate, she was another that was a tad unlucky due to race shape. She presents as a conveyance that will improve sharply up to 1400m.
I took a 5-leg multi on Saturday. The only Proven horse in it was ROCK THE SUNRISE, who I backed to place at around $2. Ladies and gentlemen, that is exactly why he finished an unlucky 4th. To rub salt into the wound I picked up the sectional data only to see the race rated 3L above standard meaning he’s run out of his skin. Of course, the remaining 4 legs came in and instead of celebrating a $42 multi, I went to bed in the foetal position.
Speaking of things going pair-shaped on Saturday afternoon, didn’t ALDEZOR cop it at Wyong. He was 1200m to 2125m in just two starts with a 1500m hit-out in between. With that sort of set-up, we needed a cushy run behind an even tempo. Instead, we set the pace going 12L above standard. Needless to say, he ran his last 200m more than 6L below standard.
SMUDGED resumed over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday. The first half of the race was run 6L above standard and despite making a run between the 400-200m, her condition gave out on that tempo. She’ll improve nicely and looks hard to beat if Matt finds a similar race next time.
A tumultuous week came to an end with MELTDOWN making it two on the bounce at Warwick on Monday. The gelding has struck form since targeting some marginally easier assignments but to be fair his ratings are getting better, which could indicate more wins to come.
Meanwhile, none of the Group 1s in Melbourne stood out. The Futurity Stakes saw TREASURETHE MOMENT rate about 5L down on what she did when winning the Memsie Stakes first-up in the spring. Followers would know I’ve had TROPICUS as my Oakleigh Plate bet since September last year so it was very satisfying to see him win on Saturday with a decent weight. Can he beat JIMMYSTAR at WFA in the William Reid Stakes? I’ll pass on the Blue Diamond when betting in the Slipper.
This Saturday should provide a little more certainty with AUTUMN GLOW and TEMPTED going around in the Chipping Norton Stakes and Surround Stakes. You can get upwards of $2 about the double. Looks a safe bet to me.
Nic Ashman is a form expert who has developed his own times rating system to assess races. He is the host of The Beaten Favourite podcast and appears on several other racing media outlets. For a more detailed summary of the past weekend’s racing, you can listen to ‘The Monday Podcast’ episode by The Beaten Favourite HERE.