Proven Thoroughbreds spent this week on the other side of the Tasman, purchasing seven yearlings from the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Sale.
Such is the relentless nature of the sales season in Australasia, the Magic Millions auction virtually rolled into Karaka, and in less than a week inspections will get underway at Inglis for their Classic Sale.
A full summary of our seven yearlings from New Zealand (including confirmation of prices) will be available to view on the website by Monday.
Last week saw three of our four runners fill a place, while the other ran a creditable fourth. Our cohort of gallopers heading to the races this week are a good chance of propelling the Proven colours back into the winners circle, namely undefeated filly THE BLACK CLOUD (pictured), unlucky last start favourite TERMAGANT and the debutante SKYPORT LANE – our first 2YO runner for the season.
Our lone male representative racing this week is 4YO gelding UNHOLSTERED, who returns from a lengthy injury at Canterbury’s Friday night meeting.
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BLACK BOOKER
ICONIC TREASURE made his long awaited debut at Wyong last week and was game in defeat, finishing just a length off the winner. The 4YO NICCONI gelding showed good early speed and gamely staved off the favourite to hold down third. Will be all the better for that experience and has revealed a genuine desire to compete.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Gosford Thursday February 1
4YO&UP Maiden Handicap 1600m
AQUATICA
Joe Pride/Rory Hutchings
Comment: Battled away for third when stepping up to a mile last time with blinkers on first time. Should be hard fit now so expect her to roll forward and give the others something to catch.
Canterbury Friday February 2
Maiden Handicap 1250m
UNHOLSTERED
Joe Pride/Reece Jones
Comment: Back from a lengthy injury-enforced lay-off. Has been given three trials this time in so should be fit enough to tackle 1250m first-up, especially from the inside draw.
Sunshine Coast Friday February 2
Maiden Handicap 1000m
TERMAGANT
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Justin Huxtable
Comment: Did everything bar win on debut at Ipswich over 800m. Much better suited up to 1000m on a bigger track. Should take some beating.
BM78 Handicap 1000m
FETCH
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: Had to cross from a wide gate on Magic Millions day and wilted late over the 1200m. Back in grade and back to her pet distance, wouldn’t surprise to see her in the finish.
Rosehill Saturday February 3
BM72 Handicap 1200m
THE BLACK CLOUD
Joe Pride/Jay Ford
Comment: Impressive filly looking to extend her unbeaten record to three but rises to Saturday grade now so this will tell us how good she really is.
Eagle Farm Saturday February 3
Class 3 Plate 1400m
OCEAN ZAR
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: Hit the line strongly for third fresh over 1200m. Extra furlong suits, as does switching from Doomben to Eagle Farm. However the barrier probably means she will have to get back in the field again.
Sunshine Coast Sunday February 4
QTIS 2YO Maiden Plate
SKYPORT LANE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Our first 2YO runner for the season and she looks ready to give this a shake off some impressive barrier trials/jumpouts. Needs to bring that to raceday now.
