Proven Thoroughbreds’ seasonal tally of winners has climbed to 40, courtesy of a Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted-trained winning double at Grafton on Sunday.
While a 100-plus crowd braved the elements at our Joe Pride Open Morning in Sydney, three horses from our Brisbane base made the 3.5-hour journey to Grafton.
Fortunately, Grafton dodged most of the inclement weather on Sunday and a soft (5) track was presented for racing.
STELLAR MAGIC (pictured), a promising 2YO daughter of first-season sire STAR TURN, opened our account in the second event, winning as a $1.40 favourite should.
Ridden confidently by Ben Thompson, STELLAR MAGIC made her own luck on speed before dashing clear to win by 2.5 lengths. It was the filly’s second career start following a luckless second at Eagle Farm back in October of last year.
Later in the meeting, Thompson steered ENRIQUE to victory with a ground-saving ride in the 1420m Maiden Handicap.
The son of SEBRING emerged on the inside of the field in the home straight and bravely repelled a challenge from out wide to score by a narrow margin.
Both winners collected the BOBS bonus in their maiden-breaking wins, banking almost $34,000 between them.
Our other runner at the meeting was THINK GLORY who contested 1115m Maiden Plate and finished on the heels of the placegetters, beaten just over a length.