PRIVATE EYE is, to coin a well-worn phrase, an absolute marvel! Now a veteran of 9 equine years, he’s been to the races 52 times of which about 85% of those trips, were against BLACK TYPE opposition.
His overall record reads 14-7-5 or put another way, he’s been in the money 50% of his starts and been a winner 37% of the time for prizemoney nudging $13million.
On Saturday, providing the Caulfield surface is not a quagmire, the old fella will make his 15th interstate trip in defence of last year’s Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes and an unbeaten record over the 1400m circuit at the track.
Trainer Joe Pride continues to herald the astonishing longevity of his remarkable athlete and feels “Spade” is in as good a shape as ever. But what’s that expression….’grandaddy time waits for no one’, so impossible not to concede the clock is ticking.
The grand gelding is one of 9 Proven runners this week, three of them from Pride’s Warwick Farm Stable. The emerging mare PROXIMA CENTAURI and maiden REAL MCCOY are the other pair who journey to Newcastle Thursday along with the promising Kerry Parker prepared 4yo, BROADWAY STREET.
After a successful Proven/Hoysted Open Day last Sunday at the Eagle Farm Stables that was capped with SUBPOENA COLADA’S debut victory at the Sunshine Coast, trainer Matt Hoysted saddles a quintet runners for us this week.
The big grey NAVAL TRADER seeks redemption on Wednesday at Eagle Farm, whilst two of our maiden mares – HEAD OF THE RIVER and EMPHATIQUE – attempt to break their elusive ducks in the race prior. The pair have collectively placed on eight previous occasions so you could say they are due!
Speaking of form reversals, OCEAN ZAR will try and confound the pundits on Saturday at Doomben while MELTDOWN continues his gradual rise in distance at just his second run this campaign.
Our form analyst Nic Ashman is back from a winter hiatus and on Tuesday published his first SECTIONALS REVIEW article for the new season, breaking down the debut win of SUBPOENA COLADA in which he is a proud shareholder!
Information on all of Proven’s latest acquisitions can be viewed on our AVAILABLE HORSES page.
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SIRE ON FIRE – I AM INVINCIBLE
Nearly impossible to maintain but a cracking start to Season 26/27 with 8 winners in as many days. In the unlikely event he can keep somewhere near that daily strike rate, the champion stallion will dwarf last year’s tally of 162 individual winners.
BLACK BOOKER – COLUMBIA BLUE
Has figured in this book previously but no one missed his run on Saturday at Randwick. The lightly raced gelding was tardy away and then struck traffic on the turn before motoring late to go down a couple of heads. Is in superb form this prep so hard to beat when he next steps out.
RUNNERS THIS WEEK
Eagle Farm Wednesday August 12
F&M Maiden Plate 1200m
EMPHATIQUE
Matt Hoysted/Jag Guthmann-Chester
Comment: Knocking on the door after yet another frustrating defeat last start over this trip. Drawn well and poised to run honestly again.
HEAD OF THE RIVER
Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Even run over the short course at this track so strips fitter for this event. If she can run the trip looks a decent chance.
Class 5 Handicap 1400m
NAVAL TRADER
Matt Hoysted/Jag Guthmann-Chester
Comment: Hasn’t troubled the scorer in three runs this prep but very effective on his day. Finds an attractive race here as his track & distance from suggests, so if he can overcome a sticky gate and deal with a typically tactical small field, will run well.
Newcastle Thursday August 13
Class 1 & Maiden Plate 1880m
PROXIMA CENTAURI
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Emerged from a narrow Goulburn Maiden win with an unlucky 3rd at Wyong when held up at a vital stage. Looks a potential stayer on the up who should relish the rise in trip.
Maiden Plate 1250m
REAL MCCOY
Joe Pride/Jay Ford
Comment: Gets the shades on here after being down the course at his only two runs to date. Has a wide alley but a moment of truth for this 4yo who needs to justify his place in a metropolitan stable.
Class 1 Handicap 1400m
BROADWAY STREET
Kerry Parker/Nash Rawiller
Comment: Tackles 1400m first-up which for a lightly raced horse, is a test especially from a wide gate. However, has the services of Nash Rawiller who won on him last time in. Danger.
Caulfield Saturday August 15
G2 PB Lawrence Stakes 1400m
PRIVATE EYE
Joe Pride/Nash Rawiller
Comment: Won this race last year and racing just as well 12 months on despite his veteran status. Hasn’t raced for a couple of months since another game run in the Stradbroke so a significantly affected track may be a problem but can never be underestimated. Drawn his usual wide barrier!
Doomben Saturday August 15
Class 6 Handicap 1600m
OCEAN ZAR
Matt Hoysted/Jake Bayliss
Comment: Scratched after getting cast in her box last Saturday but has missed virtually no work as she lines up for her third run this campaign. Has disappointed in both runs thus far, so really needs to at least indicate some conviction to warrant the prolonging of her career.
Class 3 Plate 1350m
MELTDOWN
Matt Hoysted/Jag Guthmann-Chester
Comment: Nice run first-up in Saturday company for the first time and suited to the longer distance. Will likely want even further but can stake a claim in a race of this calibre.
