This week we welcome back a pair of talented QLD mares to the races while PRIVATE EYE is set to contest a star-studded trial at Randwick on Friday.
FORTUNEER and OCEAN ZAR, both three-time winners including at metropolitan level, will be looking to enhance their records at the Sunshine Coast’s Wednesday and Sunday meetings respectively.
Bookmakers have installed FORTUNEER as a warm favourite for the midweek Class 3 Plate over 1200m. The daughter of RUBICK won her latest trial in good style and will be partnered by Justin Huxtable in her return to competition.
OCEAN ZAR (pictured) was scratched from the same event due to a wide barrier and so will instead contest another 1200m Class 3 on Sunday. Though six furlongs is short of her best trip, the lightly-raced mare is expected to run well first-up since disposing of BM70 rivals at Eagle Farm in April.
Meanwhile on the trial front, grand campaigner STOCKMAN stepped out in a 1200m heat at Warwick Farm on Tuesday as he prepares to have his first run as a sprightly 8yo in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday week.
PRIVATE EYE is likely to resume in the Group 2 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at the same meeting, following his second scheduled trial at Friday’s Randwick trials where a clash with the likes of GIGA KICK, CELESTIAL LEGEND, KOVALICA and LINEBACKER awaits.
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SIRE ON FIRE – FASTNET ROCK
You know it’s carnival time when you start seeing this name on the results page. An incredible Saturday was highlighted by his daughter VIA SISTINA claiming a thrilling victory in the Group 1 Winx Stakes. His prowess as a broodmare sire has really come to the fore in the last 12 months and that was reiterated via stakes performers JOLIESTAR (1st G2 Show County), ZOUGOTCHA (2nd G1 Winx Stakes), OUR KOBISON (2nd G2 Show County), MUMBAI MUSE (3rd G3 Toy Show), VAST ART (3rd L Idyllic Prince) and Kerry Parker’s latest Midway winner WELL TIMED.
BLACK BOOKER – BOTTLER
Went back first-up over 1080m on the Canberra synthetic track before making good ground late to grab third. The 4yo gelding was always going to find them a bit sharp over that trip so looks well placed to break through over a touch further next start. Has already finished in the money at three of his four career starts.
BET WITH NIC
Despite the dark cloud we placed on Nic last week by publicly noting the record of his tips in this column, he managed to strike again with JOLIESTAR…
“CEOWULF was a clear 2nd to RIFF ROCKET in the Australian Derby and finds a BM100 here with J mac in the saddle. If he’s going to measure up to the better races this spring he’ll need to beat these.”
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Sunshine Coast Wednesday August 28
Class 3 Plate 1200m
FORTUNEER
Matt Hoysted/Justin Huxtable
Comment: Resumes off 67 day break and won well on debut signalling her fresh ability. Brings residual fitness whereas her main rival is coming off a traditional break. Query is 1200m first-up but she is more seasoned now.
Newcastle Thursday August 29
Super Maiden Handicap 1200m
TRAPELLA
Joe Pride/Alysha Collett
Comment: Sound debut running her last 600m inside class benchmark. Can only improve and you will find plenty of worse $101 chances.
Moruya Friday August 30
BM66 Handicap 2010m
LICHESTER
Kerry Parker/Lee Magorrian
Comment: On trial at the trip but comes out of a high rating mile race where they went through the first 1000m 9L faster than average. Gets her chance here with the right foundation.
Doomben Saturday August 31
BM70 Handicap 1050m
SHOT OF WHISKEY
Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Posted terrific wins first and second up then caught wide no cover latest when jumping two grades and still only 1L off class benchmark. In the mix here.
Sunshine Coast Sunday September 1
Class 3 Handicap 1200m
OCEAN ZAR
Matt Hoysted/Fiona Sandkuhl
Comment: Resumes and clocked the best last 200m of the day first up last prep. Does have a better overall record second up but sprints well fresh and ran very well only run here.
3YO Maiden Handicap 1200m
ROCK THE SUNRISE
Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Well bred gelding on debut that has looked good in all three trials and finds a race that looks perfect for him to kick off in.
Newcastle Tuesday September 3
Maiden Plate 1250m
BOTTLER
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Ran on soundly first-up over 1200m to finish third, 1.8 lengths astern of the winner. Extra distance suits now and overall form would suggest he is knocking on the door.
BM64 Handicap 1200m
ICONIC TREASURE
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Won well at Goulburn last start when facing a stiff breeze. Should be near enough to peak fitness third-up and is yet to finish out of the money in four starts over this trip.
