The Joe Pride-trained PRIVATE EYE (pictured) will be out to rectify a luckless first-up performance when he takes his place in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) on Day Two of The Championships at Randwick.
The classy 3YO got skittled by another horse coming to the home turn in the Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) and not surprinsingly finished out of the placings at Rosehill last month.
With a bit more luck this Saturday, PRIVATE EYE can bounce back to the form that saw him string five wins together over the summer.
Elsewhere, GOTTA KISS will also be looking to rediscover her best in the Listed Daybreak Lover (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted-trained filly pulled up coughing after tailing off first-up at Doomben on April 3. The stable vet has found nothing amiss with her since and her recent track work has pleased Steve and Matt so it’s full steam ahead towards an elusive black-type win for the Group 1-placegetter.
GOTTA KISS leads a potential team of five Saturday runners at Eagle Farm, including promising juvenile STELLAR MAGIC.
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BLACKBOOKER
THATFEELSBETTER was one of our standout trial performers on Tuesday morning at Doomben. The 2YO son of BETTER THAN READY landed at the tail of a slowly-run heat and only got clear galloping room late in the piece but really motored home the last 50m. Showed a nice turn of foot when he changed stride and looks one to watch when he makes his race debut.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Newcastle Thursday April 15
3YO Maiden Plate 1200m:
CAPTURED IN TIME
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Wasn’t beaten far on debut when stuck in the worst part of the ground. Doubt the sit and sprint nature of that race suited him either. Look for improvement up to 1200m on a bigger track.
Ipswich Friday April 16
Class 2 Handicap 1200m:
CONTEMPTUOUS
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: Been racing consistently and should be hard to beat following a couple of placings in metropolitan company.
Randwick Saturday April 17
Listed South Pacific Classic 1400m:
PRIVATE EYE
Joe Pride/Regan Bayliss
Comment: Had excuses in the Darby Munro Stakes, copping inteference at a crucial point of the race. The form looks dynamite and this appears much easier on paper. Won a tick-over trial last week and will appreciate getting out to 1400m.
Eagle Farm Saturday April 17
QTIS 2YO Handicap 1000m:
STELLAR MAGIC
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Baylee Nothdurft
Comment: Fought tenaciously in a three-way go last time at Doomben but had to settle for runner-up honours. Three weeks between runs back to 1000m looks the right move and the form has stood up with the winner and third placegetter filling the quinella last Saturday.
Listed Daybreak Lover 1400m:
GOTTA KISS
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Stephanie Thornton
Comment: Pulled up coughing from a disappointing first-up run here over 1200m. Vet has gone over her with a fine-toothed comb since and found nothing. That was the first bad run of her career so definitely worth another chance.
Listed Ascot Handicap 1000m:
KYLEASE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Stephanie Thornton
Comment: Led and tried her guts out last time, only to be bloused late. Drops 5kg in weight here which could be the small advantage she needs to go one better.
QTIS 2YO C&G Handicap 1000m:
VANTAN EXPRESS
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Baylee Nothdurft
Comment: Shown promise at the trials. If he can convert that to raceday he’s sure to be in the mix.
Gold Coast Saturday April 17
SO YOU SHOP
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Game in defeat here first-up from a freshen. Both wins to date have come second-up and appreciates racing at this track.
Class 4 Handicap 1300m:
TOO HOT TO HOLD
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Best to forgive first-up run on the heavy (10) ground. Never travelled and was left flat footed in the small field. Fitter now and likely to get more suitable track conditions.
QTIS 2YO Maiden Handicap 1200m:
MERSEYSIDE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Jag Guthmann-Chester
Comment: Nice filly likely to need time but has been trialling well ahead of her debut.
Sunshine Coast Sunday April 18
Maiden Plate 1000m/QTIS 3YO C&G Maiden Handicap 1000m:
YOU CHOOSE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Baylee Nothdurft
Comment: Lightly-raced 3YO stepping out for only his second start. Finished ninth on debut at the Sunshine Coast back in September and spelled immediately after. Trialled well on Tuesday morning.
Wagga Sunday April 18
Class 1 & Maiden Plate 1600m:
BOMBARDEO
John Bateman/Shaun Guymer
Comment: Rocketed down the outside to just miss in Class 2 company here on April 5. Rises to a mile for the first time in his career but racing as though he is looking for the distance.
