PRIVATE EYE will be out to avenge his unlucky 2022 Stradbroke Handicap defeat when he lines up in Queensland’s biggest race this Saturday.
Our star veteran had a welcome change of luck at the barrier draw on Tuesday evening, coming up with gate 10 of 23 which will see him jump from 9 of 18 should there be no scratchings. Trainer Joe Pride is confident drawing in the middle of the field will be advantageous as he looks to bury the demons of three years ago when PRIVATE EYE had to change course in the straight before motoring home into second behind ALLIGATOR BLOOD.
Coincidentally, PRIVATE EYE’s bid for Stradbroke redemption will unfold a couple hours after his younger brother KING’S SECRET attempts back-to-back Rosehill victories.
Another Pride runner shooting for consecutive wins this week is COLUMBIA BLUE, one of eight starters in the 1000m BM64 Handicap at Randwick’s Kensington midweek fixture.
On Sunday at Terang, STOCKMAN returns to jumps racing in the 3200m maiden hurdle, hoping to go one better than his jumps debut which resulted in a narrow second during last month’s Warrnambool carnival.
This week’s SECTIONALS REVIEW (authored by form analyst Nic Ashman) raises questions about the Kingsford-Smith Cup form ahead of the Stradbroke Handicap this Saturday.
Information on all of Proven’s 2025 yearlings can be viewed on our AVAILABLE HORSES page.
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SIRE ON FIRE – SUPER SETH
Fair to say this son of DUNDEEL has had a pretty extraordinary season after MAISON LOUIS delivered his fourth Group 1 winner on Saturday. His winners to runners strike rate of 54% compares very well with leading second season sire TOO DARN HOT (57.5%).
BLACK BOOKER – TERMAGANT
After missing a run in stakes company on Saturday, we were forced to revert to plan B and run this mare with 62.5kg at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday. She was probably ridden too close first-up and then had to change course in the straight which halted her momentum. Look out for her next start which will likely be a 1200m BM85 Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 28.
BET WITH NIC
Our times analyst Nic Ashman will be publishing his popular best bet for Saturday’s racing on Friday.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Randwick-Kensington Wednesday Jun 11
BM64 Handicap 1000m
COLUMBIA BLUE
Joe Pride/Adam Hyeronimus
Comment: Heads to town following an impressive display of sustained speed at Hawkesbury. That was on a heavy (10) so the soft conditions won’t pose any problems but does face more experienced opposition now.
Eagle Farm Saturday Jun 14
G1 Stradbroke Handicap 1400m
PRIVATE EYE
Joe Pride/Nash Rawiller
Comment: Bypassed the Kingsford-Smith Cup to concentrate on this race and has been readied with four trials so unlikely to be beaten on the score of fitness. Has drawn the middle which should suit and always runs well at Eagle Farm. Not the deepest Stradbroke so it may be a year where class prevails.
Rosehill Saturday Jun 14
3YO & 4YO BM72 Handicap 1100m
KING’S SECRET
Joe Pride/Andrew Adkins
Comment: Brilliant winner here a fortnight ago when jumping sharply in grade. Needs to go to another level again but we don’t know where his ceiling is yet and has drawn ideally in five.
BM78 Handicap 1500m
LITTLE COINTREAU
Joe Pride/Josh Parr
Comment: Very consistent galloper crying out for drier ground which he is likely to get here after two heavy track runs. Got within half a length of the winner over this track and distance a fortnight ago and maps to get favours in the run.
Sunshine Coast Sunday Jun 15
Maiden Handicap 1400m
MELTDOWN
Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Still very green on resuming at Doomben last month when finishing off ok into sixth. Can only improve second-up over 1400m on a bigger track.
Terang Sunday Jun 15
Maiden Hurdle 3200m
STOCKMAN
Symon Wilde/TBA
Comment: Gets back over the jumps after failing to let down on a firm track in the Sandown Cup. Off his jumps debut at Warrnambool, he will be mighty hard to beat in this, particularly if the track stays in the heavy range.
