Some festive cheer was brought to the owners of TAKE A BOW after the mare posted her fifth career win in thrilling fashion at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Starting on the third line of betting in the 1000m BM75 Handicap, TAKE A BOW made the most of Fiona Sandkuhl’s 3kg allowance in a nail-biting finish as she rolled hot favourite PARETO in the shadows of the post.
Incredibly, this was TAKE A BOW’s ninth run of the preparation which has yielded three wins and a pair of placings.
Her career best form can largely be attributed to her shaking off a bad habit of missing the start and trainer Matt Hoysted’s astute decision to restrict her to five furlongs.
“It’s a real credit to this horse in terms of how she’s coping with everything and this being her 9th run in,” Hoysted said.
“She’s now won three of her last five starts.
“Clearly her manners in the barriers has been a huge factor in turning this mare around. From barrier one today she was able to park behind the favourite and when he rolled out in the straight it gave us a beautiful passage along the inside and she was really tough late.”
The daughter of ROYAL MEETING has now accrued $138,650 in prizemoney having been purchased for just $40,000 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale from Bell River’s draft.
Saturday’s win makes her eligible for the $500,000 Magic Millions Country Cup (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 17 but given where she is at in her preparation, Matt will monitor her condition over the coming days before committing to that race.
TAKE A BOW becomes Proven’s 19th winner for the 2025-26 season.