A total of nine gallopers will fly the Proven Thoroughbreds flag across four meetings this weekend.
Saturday at Randwick sees promising filly NICCONITA line up in the 1200m Highway race in search of her third career win. Strong showings in recent editions of the Highway Series has the John Bateman-trained galloper a firm favourite to take out the $60,000 event for leading jockey Blake Shinn.
Later in the day we welcome back old stager GAMBLESTOWN (pictured) in the Benchmark 80 Handicap (1000m). The rising eight-year-old has been a loyal servant for Proven Thoroughbreds and trainer Joe Pride with earnings close to $300,000 from 40 career starts.
Stablemate SO SPIRITED steps out in the following race – the 1400m Benchmark 82 Handicap – seven days after a bold fifth over the 1500m course.
Kembla’s Saturday meeting sees the Bateman-trained WATER LINE rises to 2400m in the Class 1 and Maiden Plate following an encouraging fourth over 2100m at Goulburn last start.
North of the border at sunny Doomben, Proven Thoroughbreds and trainer Steve O’Dea are represented by two runners.
Talented three-year-old SCALLOPINI jumps from the inside barrier in the Class 3 Plate (1350m) and is set to start favourite after a strong win at Ipswich last start.
The resuming SORNJA lines up in the Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200m) and gets in with an attractive weight of 52kg after the 3kg claim of apprentice jockey Jackson Murphy.
Then at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday FRANCISCA and CHOREOGRAPH return from spells in the 1200m Class 3 Handicap and 1400m Class 2 Plate respectively while REAL STING lines up in the 2200m Class 3.
Proven Thoroughbreds’ other runner in the week ahead is another O’Dea-trained galloper, RECKLESS CHOICE, at Doomben. A dominant last start winner (by 5 lengths!) the son of Choisir heads to the 1660m Class 1.