The Sales/Raceday Carnival at Karaka on the outskirts of Auckland, is always enjoyable and productive. New Zealand has been an outstanding nursery for Australasian Racing with regular Group 1 winners spawned from the rich Kiwi pasture.
The Proven team secured another 3 yearlings at the revamped 2026 version of Karaka. A quality SO YOU THINK filly bound for the Joe Pride stable was complemented by a couple of colts. A SUPER SETH first foal of a SAVABEEL mare will join the Hayfields Racing team at Pakenham whilst the great Windsor Park was the vendor for Lot 95, an attractive individual by the Cox Plate winning freshman, STATE OF REST. He’ll head to Kerry Parker at Kembla.
Not a lot of racing activity for the black and lime green to conclude the month. The most intriguing runner is the Matt Hoysted trained LARADO (pictured), a lightly raced 4yo who steps out for only the fourth time in a 1000m BM70 at Eagle Farm Saturday.
Information on all of Proven’s latest acquisitions can be viewed on our AVAILABLE HORSES page.
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SIRE ON FIRE – ZOUSTAR
Though sometimes flattered by a proliferation of numbers representing him, he’s had an excellent week in four countries! A Stakes double at Caulfield was supplemented by winners at Lingfield in the UK, Riccarton across the ditch and another at Sha Tin in Hong Kong. It was a week that yielded 8 individual winners for the champion stallion whose influence all over the world continues unabated.
BLACK BOOKER – LA ROUX
This week’s blackbooker may not race in the Proven colours but we do have an interest in the family. LA ROUX, the older half-sister to our unraced 2yo THRESHOLD, looks destined for better races following a jaw dropping last to first performance at Moe on Sunday. The daughter of FLYING SPUR mare THRILL, made it 3 victories from 5 starts when roaring home from the back over 1000m to demolish BM62 rivals. That’s the mare’s 5th winner from her 6 foals to race so certainly gives us confidence that THRESHOLD can be the next!
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Kembla Wednesday January 28
Maiden Handicap 1000m
DECLAN
Joe Pride/Jay Ford
Comment: On debut from a wide gate against a handy field but has trialled well. Looks an each way chance with luck in running but as always with maidens, very difficult to assess both the quality of the opposition and his desire.
Pakenham Thursday January 29
BM70 Handicap 1600m
LITTLE COINTREAU
Charlotte Littlefield/Ben Allen
Comment: Improved marginally at his second run in Victoria at Flemington but needs to step up in this weaker contest. Drawn a handy gate and gets out to the 1600m for the first time. Important day for this 6yo.
Eagle Farm Saturday January 31
BM70 Handicap 1000m
LARADO
Matt Hoysted/Daniel Moor
Comment: Promising gelding, winner of 2 of his first 3 starts in the manner of a horse going places. Rises in grade, hopefully offset by an inside draw. Good test for him.
Sunshine Coast Sunday February 1
BM58 Handicap 1400m
MELTDOWN
Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Had no luck, striking a lot of traffic last start at the Gold Coast. Has been a bit of an enigma, yet to fulfil anywhere near the potential he revealed as a younger horse. The quick backup on the spacious Sunshine Coast circuit, should really suit.
