A mixed bag of results on Friday ushers in the latest edition of The Week Ahead.
Proven Thoroughbreds rolled out two runners at Wyong where the Joe Pride-trained gelding MASTERATI put in a courageous effort to be beaten narrowly by the odds-on favourite Wander. The four-year-old son of Master Of Design has shown ability from day one but been hampered by back problems.
Later in the day, stablemate TAMARACK was a touch disappointing when finishing a length from the winner in a slowly-run affair. Whilst the race was not run to suit, Joe believes the gelding will be benefited by a month’s freshen-up as the weather gets warmer.
Our third starter on Friday was Sebring three-year-old SETOKA at Ipswich. The Steve O’Dea-trained filly was another victim of tempo, faced with too big a task from back in the field. However, her last 100m was particularly pleasing and is close to breaking her maiden over slightly further.
Saturday at Randwick sees ARGENT D’OR return to the scene of his win a fortnight ago for the Pride stable. With a light weight and favourable draw, the four-year-old gelding looks well placed to go back-to-back over the Randwick 1200m course despite the tougher competition.
On the provincial circuit, So You Think four-year-old RATIONALE resumes from a lengthy break for the John Thompson stable in a 1200m maiden at Kembla Grange.
Then on Sunday at the Sunshine Coast, the O’Dea-trained THORNETT gets conditions to suit in a 1400m C1 after finishing a bold second first-up at Doomben last month.
On Monday, the black and lime green colours will make a rare appearance at Forbes where the John Bateman-trained duo READABEEL and BELLA SCENICA are poised to line up in a 1400m C1 and 1600m Maiden respectively.
Tuesday will be a busy period of trials for Proven Thoroughbreds, with BROOK MAGIC, THEWAYWEARE, CANNON RUN and THE GRANDSON all stepping out at Randwick whilst BLONDE BY CHOICE takes another important step towards her comeback from injury at Doomben.
Our final runners in the week ahead will be O’Dea stable members REAL STING (1400m C2) and impressive last start winner FRANCISCA (1400m C2) at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday.