As 2023 clicks into gear, Proven Thoroughbreds can reflect on a memorable 2022.
10 stakes winners, 2nd in The Everest, 3 Group 1 placings, a Melbourne Cup runner and $8 million in prizemoney were among the highlights for the black and lime green colours last year.
You can watch all 10 of our 2022 stakes winners in the video below:
Amazingly, our 10 stakes winners accounted for 26.3% of our total number of winners for the year.
But we have been in racing long enough to know that your luck can turn on a dime so results like these need to be savoured.
That said, we have good reason to be optimistic about 2023 with established performers like PRIVATE EYE, STOCKMAN, SCALLOPINI and STROLL, as well as up and comers like THINK ABOUT IT.
As for the immediate future, we have two runners by leading sire ZOUSTAR set to make their long awaited debuts this week in ZOOCUPOLA and OCEAN ZAR. Both horses have shown ability in their trials but as always, will need to show they can also produce under the pressure of raceday.
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BLACK BOOKER
MERSEYSIDE was a beaten favourite at Ipswich last Friday but had a genuine excuse. The race was farcically run during the middle stages. In fact the leader crawled through the first 600m in 37.59 seconds before dashing home the last 600m in 33.15. This made MERSEYSIDE’s task virtually impossible but she did a good job to finish a clear second. That run was her second over 1200m since resuming from a break and no doubt she will appreciate going up in distance next start.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Eagle Farm Wednesday Jan 4
QTIS 3YO Maiden Handicap 1200m:
OCEAN ZAR
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: Scratched from a wide gate last week and has drawn favourably here after winning an unofficial trial. Well bred filly and can make an impact.
Sunshine Coast Friday Jan 6
Maiden Handicap 1000m:
ZOOCUPOLA
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: 4YO ZOUSTAR gelding make his belated debut after an injury. Has looked good in trials before and since that setback so must be considered.
Class 3 Handicap 1000m:
THATFEELSBETTER
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Jaden Lloyd
Comment: Resuming. Brings some decent formlines into this race and boasts an impressive fresh record of 3:2-1-0.
Rosehill Saturday Jan 7
BM88 Handicap 1200m:
SNIPPY FOX
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Looked after herself on a rock hard surface at Canterbury last Sunday and has been nominated here in case the track comes up wet.
Sunshine Coast Sunday Jan 8
Class 3 Handicap 1600m:
VANTAN EXPRESS
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Jaden Lloyd
Comment: Gets out to a suitable distance now on a track where he has won twice in three attempts. Has also won second-up previously so expecting substantial improvement from his fresh run when sixth of nine over 1400m here last month.
