Proven Thoroughbreds’ most satisfying day on a racecourse came at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
The $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), the jewel in Queensland’s winter carnival, was won emphatically by our star galloper THINK ABOUT IT.
There was some poetic justice for Proven and trainer Joe Pride, having witnessed stablemate PRIVATE EYE finish a desperately unlucky second in the race last year.
THINK ABOUT IT is already in the spelling paddock with plans to resume in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes ahead of the Everest on October 14. PRIVATE EYE is also preparing for a second crack at the world’s richest race on turf, after another painfully close second in the 2022 edition.
As for the immediate future, Proven and the O’Dea-Hoysted stable have a pair of feature race runners heading to the Ipswich Cup meeting on Saturday. BETTER GET SET (pictured) lines up in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m) while STROLL contests the TL Cooney (1350m).
Also set to run on Saturday is recent trial winner HEDGE FUND. The Kerry Parker-trained gelding has been entered for the Class 1 Handicap (1200m) on his home track of Kembla.
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BLACK BOOKER
Hard not to be impressed by the return of OCEAN ZAR at Doomben last week. The daughter of ZOUSTAR had to wait for a run in the home stretch but rocketed to the line once clear, finishing less than a length from the winner who led throughout the 1200m event. This lightly-raced filly looks well above average and will be hard to beat wherever she goes next start.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Wyong Thursday June 15
Class 1 Handicap 1100m
MOUNT WARNING
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Led them up and just got tired late when finishing runner-up at Newcastle last start. Back to 1100m on a tighter track should suit.
Ipswich Saturday June 17
Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic 1200m
BETTER GET SET
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Ben Thompson
Comment: Worked home solidly in a fast run 1000m race first-up at Eagle Farm. Can position a bit closer up to 1200m now and has a decent second-up record.
TL Cooney 1350m
STROLL
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Made up good ground between runners when first-up over 1200m at Eagle Farm. Can only improve up to 1350m. Drawn the outside gate but has the main danger drawn immediately to her inside.
Kembla Grange Saturday June 17
Maiden Plate 1300m
CREWMAN
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Produced an eye-catching third here in his only run to date. Resuming off the back of two solid trials but gives the impression he’s going to be a stayer.
Warwick Saturday June 17
QTIS Maiden Plate 1350m
DEEP UNDERCOVER
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Emily Lang (1.5kg)
Comment: No luck when posted wide at the Sunshine Coast last start. Can bounce back with a more economical run back to country grade.
Sunshine Coast Sunday June 18
BM75 Handicap 1200m
RICH LISTER
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Was forced to make a long run first-up and fitness told late. Will be much improved for that and if circumstances allow, expecting her to travel closer to the speed.
Nowra Tuesday June 20
Maiden Plate 1000m
ACCREDITED
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Big slow maturing horse who has indicated ability at the trials. 1000m looks a suitable kick off point to his career.
Maiden Plate 1400m
LITTLE COINTREAU
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Placed in three of his four career starts and returns from a month’s freshen-up here. Won a trial on June 9 and should be in the finish again.
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