A trio of debutantes and bonny mare IN FLIGHT are amongst eight runners for the Proven team this week.
IN FLIGHT has had a couple of runs back and returns to mares’ company in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) on Day 2 of the Championships at Randwick Saturday. Her best performances have been confined to wet tracks so the fine weather forecast, uncharacteristic for the Autumn Carnival, makes her task more challenging, however she will be aided by barrier one.
Then again, opening day last Saturday was purported to be a good surface until rain arrived on race morning, prompting the scratching of FLYING BANDIT from the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m). The “BANDIT” is now on a possible mission to repeat his Wagga Cup triumph this time last year.
Always intriguing when unraced horses grace the starter for the first time. This week the Joe Pride-trained 3yo gelding SILVER D’OR heads to Newcastle on Saturday. In Queensland, Matt Hoysted sends the freshmen PONTEVICO and MEASURE UP, to the sports for the first time at the Sunshine Coast Sunday.
Information on all of Proven’s latest acquisitions can be viewed on our AVAILABLE HORSES page.
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SIRE ON FIRE – TORONADO
May not have been prominent on Day 1 of the Championships with his sole runner finishing 4th in the Group 3 Adrian Knox (2000m). But what a week for this prolific sire! His scorecard read 11 winners, seven of which were female, exploding the misnomer that his best progeny are males. TORONADO currently sits 2nd on the Sires by Winners Table with 139 from 319 runners for a strike rate of 43.6%.
BLACK BOOKER – KING’S SECRET
Trapped deep at Rosehill last start, only his second run this prep. Generally improves the deeper he gets into a campaign so ready to improve sharply back at Randwick on Saturday week. A promising, lightly raced 4yo with a great record.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Eagle Farm Wednesday April 8
BM65 Handicap 1800m
MELTDOWN
Matt Hoysted/Jag Guthmann-Chester
Comment: First attempt at 1800m but is certainly fit enough following 5 runs this prep. Has saluted at two of his last three starts and whilst out of the money last run, wasn’t beaten far and gave the impression the extra distance would suit. Very well bred and lightly raced so gets his chance.
Gosford Thursday April 9
Maiden Plate 1100m
OBSIDIAN DREAM
Joe Pride/Andrew Adkins
Comment: Big, strong filly who showed speed in her only race start last preparation but greenness got the better of her that day. Comes back a more experienced racehorse and reverts to a provincial maiden from a city maiden.
Randwick Saturday April 11
G2 Sapphire Stakes 1200m
IN FLIGHT
Joe Pride/Craig Williams
Comment: Beaten only a length when an unflattering 8th in the Group 1 Galaxy at just her second run this time in. So, should appreciate the drop back to a Group 2 against her own sex. A forecast dry track is the fly in the ointment as she otherwise looks poised to run well.
Doomben Saturday April 11
BM80 Handicap 1110m
SHOT OF WHISKEY
Matt Hoysted/Daniel Moor
Comment: Resuming here and deserving of a Saturday victory after putting together four successive seconds last campaign. Has trialled impressively though he is coming off a minor bleeding attack. Fast, genuine horse but will need luck in the run to get his desired control.
Newcastle Saturday April 11
F&M Maiden Plate 1250m
BANG ON TIME
Kerry Parker/TBA
Comment: Looks a talented mare in the making after an injury induced lengthy break followed by an eye-catching debut at Kembla last month. Has since overcome a minor setback and whilst 1250m is potentially short of her possible best, should relish the long stretches of Newcastle.
CG&E Maiden Plate 1250m
SILVER D’OR
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Typical, rangy NZ staying type, very well bred. On debut here at a distance that looks way too short for him on the back of modest trials but has pleased the stable since. Hard to be confident yet an unknown quantity in the cauldron of race day.
Sunshine Coast Sunday April 12
Maiden Handicap 1000m
MEASURE UP
Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Very slow maturing, and indeed slow learning MAURICE 3yo who’s shown improvement at home in preparation for his debut. Ideally suited to a longer trip but the big, spacious track should give him the opportunity to be running on.
PONTEVICO
Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Another debutant who’s revealed talent but like all first starters, needs to put it together under race day conditions to bridge the quantum leap from trials and jump outs.
