Despite a terrific win last Saturday at Flemington, THE BLACK CLOUD will forgo a start in the Creswick Stakes and instead head for the paddock.
She’s done an outstanding job winning 2 of her 3 starts this preparation but is still developing as a 3yo filly.
Times analyst Nic Ashman had the following to say about her latest performance.
“She’s led them through the first 500m going almost 5L slower than benchmark for this grade but her last 600m was bang on average, which means her overall time was only fair however we have to consider she carried 59kg and it was her first go down the straight.”
“Her 2nd to FLEETWOOD two runs back remains her peak rating and that figure is good enough to consider a stakes race in the future.”
THE BLACK CLOUD’s victory was the 11th for us in just six weeks, six of these at metro level.
Among our runners this week are last start winners IN FLIGHT (pictured) and LEVAR.
Meanwhile, dual Everest placegetter PRIVATE EYE returned to Joe Pride’s stable on Wednesday and will likely commence his spring campaign in the Concorde Stakes or defend his title in The Shorts.
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SIRE ON FIRE – ALABAMA EXPRESS
With 11 winners from 17 starters (including 6 stakes performers), no other first season sire has a comparable winners to runners strike rate. Justifiably, his fee has risen to $55,000 for the upcoming breeding season. We currently have shares remaining in two ALABAMA EXPRESS colts – the ALABAMA EXPRESS x WICHITA WOMAN with Kerry Parker and ALABAMA EXPRESS x OUR RANSOM STAR with Joe Pride.
BLACK BOOKER – LICHESTER
LICHESTER finished 10th of 11 first-up but was only 1.9 lengths from the winner and keep in mind she only had one 800m trial going into a 1300m race. The shape of the race was perfect to bounce out of and she clocked the 7th fastest last 200m of the meeting. Will improve sharply up in trip and on a better surface than a soft (6).
BET WITH NIC
Our resident times analyst Nic Ashman thinks a Chris Waller-trained mare can snare the last G1 of the season in the Tatts Tiara.
“VIENNA PRINCESS has steadily improved throughout her career and wasn’t disgraced in the Dane Ripper first-up. Second-up last campaign she was beaten 3.6L by ZOUGOTCHA at G1 level. Puts her in the mix for this.”
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Warwick Farm Wednesday June 26
BM72 1300m
ACCREDITED
Joe Pride/Rory Hutchings
Comment: Hasn’t run a bad race and suspect that won’t change here. But again he finds himself in a hot contest but this time he’s drawn near his main rivals and if Rory can get the drop on the favourite then we think he can make things interesting.
Doomben Wednesday June 26
3YO Open Hcp 1200m
HEYOKA
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Emily Lang (a)
Comment: Put in a shocker first-up but has won a trial in good style since. Her peak figure was over this course and distance and down on 51.5kg she can be right in the finish.
Wyong Thursday June 27
Maiden Handicap 1350m
DONELEGANCE
Joe Pride/Zac Lloyd
Comment: Progressing with each run in her debut campaign and from a sectionals point of view she looks well suited up to 1350m. Tackles some handy types but not without a top 3 chance given she will likely peak here.
Dalby Thursday June 27
BM60 Handicap 1100m
TOWN CRIER
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Emily Lang (a)
Comment: Run was better than it looked first-up over 1000m at the Sunny Coast clocking the best last 800m of the meeting. Suited up to 1100m and this looks an easier target. Big chance.
Rosehill Saturday June 29
BM72 Handicap 1400m
LITTLE COINTREAU
Joe Pride/Jay Ford
Comment: Good win first-up then copped a squeeze out of the barriers last time over this course and distance. Still managed a gutsy 3rd and beat the class benchmark in doing so. This is the first time he’s had 2 x 1400m runs in a prep so we are excited to see what kind of rating he can return on Saturday.
BM72 Handicap 1100m
COSMONOVA
Joe Pride/Alysha Collett
Comment: Resumed in a hot BM72 at Warwick Farm where they broke the class benchmark by 5L. Bounced out of a fast run race first-up last prep to win second-up and can be competitive again here.
IN FLIGHT
Joe Pride/Jay Ford
Comment: Terrific win first-up at Gosford smashing the class benchmark by 4L then excuses second-up before another stern victory last time beating the class benchmark by more than 4L and clocking the best last 800m of the day. Can go on with it.
Newcastle Saturday June 29
Class 1 Handicap 1400m
SLIPSTREAMING
Kerry Parker/TBA
Comment: Beaten 12L first-up when not much went right. We know she is much better than that and we expect her to improve albeit she will be at her best when she gets beyond the mile.
Gatton Saturday June 29
BM62 Handicap 860m
LEVAR
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Emily Lang (a)
Comment: Led them up on debut in a high rating maiden where they went 3L inside the class benchmark. Then atoned with a strong win last start here. This looks a winnable target and should be right in the mix.
QTIS 2YO Maiden Plate 860m
TAKE A BOW
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Emily Lang (a)
Comment: On debut and finished 3rd in a recent trial but they ran quicker time than 5 time winner ROCKRIBBED did on the same morning.
Warwick Monday July 1
Class 3 Handicap 1200m
HANG FIVE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Justin Huxtable
Comment: Travelled wide last start when failing at the Sunny Coast over this trip. His peak rating this campaign came with a gap between runs and we feel he’s had the right freshen up again here to improve sharply especially if he gets the right run in transit.
