Spring is in the air with a host of Australia’s top gallopers back at the trials over the past week.
Our stable stars, PRIVATE EYE and THINK ABOUT IT are set to trial in the coming weeks, the latter looking to defend his title in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) on October 5.
Meanwhile, emerging mare THE BLACK CLOUD will trial at Warwick Farm next week before resuming in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) on August 24 before a potential crack at the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes a fortnight later.
On the results front, Proven Thoroughbreds broke new ground at Wyong on Sunday with our first Joe Pride-trained tried horse shedding his maiden over a mile. ELLE HUDSON (pictured) ran his last 600m 4.4 lengths quicker than benchmark for the grade which bodes well for a horse bred to get 2400m. He will head to spelling paddock but keep an eye on him when the son of TARZINO returns to competition in the summer.
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SIRE ON FIRE – ACE HIGH
Four of his last five starters have won in NSW, Victoria and NZ. With his oldest progeny now just turned 4, the last son of the great HIGH CHAPARRAL to stand at stud looks set to announce himself this season.
BLACK BOOKER – ICONIC TREASURE
Resumed over 1100m at Wyong last Sunday and our times analyst Nic Ashman sent us this message “Flat late splits off a slow tempo suggests he will appreciate 1400m”, a sentiment jockey Alysha Collett echoed in her post race report.
BET WITH NIC
Our resident times analyst Nic Ashman has cast his eye over the G2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick this Saturday.
“The two horses that stand out are SCHWARZ and ARCTIC GLAMOUR. The latter didn’t come up last prep after showing Group 1 potential last spring. SCHWARZ raced in the winter, and very well I might add, plus he’s looked sharp at the trials. I think he can win this and be a smokey chance in the Group 1 Winx Stakes on August 24 if they go that way.”
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Doomben Wednesday August 7
Class 5 Handicap 1350m
HANG FIVE
Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Won 3 of his last 5 starts but this is his toughest test in recent times. If he can get in from a tricky gate then he’s a top 3 chance given he smashed the class benchmark by more than 6L last start.
Ipswich Friday August 9
Class 4 Handicap 1100m
SHOT OF WHISKEY
Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Beat the class benchmark by 5L first-up at C1 grade then 1L faster in C2 grade last time. Both runs he’s clocked the best or 2nd best late splits of the day. Can progress here.
Sunshine Coast Saturday August 10
BM70 Handicap 1000m
TERMAGANT
Matt Hoysted/Ryan Maloney
Comment: Winner of 3 from 4 and flying this prep winning both starts. Running good times and while this is harder her ratings suggest she can win again.
Kembla Grange Saturday August 10
Super Maiden Handicap 1000m
MOONLIGHT GAMBLER
Joe Pride/Alysha Collett
Comment: On debut but showing very good ability at home and recent trial suggests he is ready to replicate on the racetrack.
BM64 Handicap 1400m
TAKE YOU THERE
Kerry Parker/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Surprise winner on debut when time was only fair. Will find it tougher here against better opposition but hard to knock winning form and the extra distance should suit her even more.
Toowoomba Saturday August 10
Maiden Handicap 1300m
RUBINOVA
Matt Hoysted/Fiona Sandkuhl (a)
Comment: Held up last start albeit only fair to the line. That was a 1000m race where they crawled and now we get to 1300m. Expect improvement.
Wagga Wagga Sunday August 11
Open Handicap 2500m
SLIPSTREAMING
Kerry Parker/Blaike McDougall
Comment: Enigmatic staying mare that needs wet ground to show her best. We’re keen to get her out to this trip as she gives the impression she will stay all day.
Sunshine Coast Sunday August 11
BM65 Handicap 1650m
BETTER YET
Matt Hoysted/Nikita Beriman
Comment: Fourth-up. Worth nothing that despite her poor last run that both her career wins have been when fourth-up or deeper into a prep. We expect improvement from this mare that needs racing to show her best.
