This week Proven Thoroughbreds and trainer Kerry Parker will attempt to qualify FLYING BANDIT for the $1million Provincial-Midway Championships Final.

FLYING BANDIT returns from a break in Saturday’s $150,000 Qualifier at Kembla, having won four of his eight career starts. Though his best form has been over a mile and beyond, the timing of the race has allowed for Parker to roll the dice on his home track and give the gelding a chance of making the final with a top two finish on Saturday.

ICONIC TREASURE, MOONLIGHT GAMBLER and MOONFLEET round out Proven’s other runners for the week while a trio of Pride gallopers – LITTLE COINTREAU, IN FLIGHT and MIND BENDER are scheduled to trial at Warwick Farm on Friday.

Meanwhile, at the recently concluded Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Proven acquired a pair of fillies for Pakenham trainer Charlotte Littlefield. The Adelaide sale has been a happy hunting ground for Proven with graduates including PRIVATE EYE ($62,500), IN FLIGHT ($220,000), FLYING BANDIT ($20,000). Details on our latest two purchases from Adelaide below:

TASSORT x HOITY TOITY filly

LUCKY VEGA x LIMERICK FLAME filly

Our first open day for 2025 will be conducted on Sunday March 30 at a new location – Thenford Farm in the NSW Southern Highlands – in conjunction with the Joe Pride and Kerry Parker stables. The start time will be 11am. As this event includes catering, RSVP is essential. Clients old, new and prospective are all welcome. To register your attendance, please get in touch via our CONTACT US page.

This week’s SECTIONALS REVIEW article includes an early look at this Saturday’s Golden Slipper plus a run down on the performances of our recent runners.

Information on all of Proven’s 2025 yearlings can be viewed on our AVAILABLE HORSES page.

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SIRE ON FIRE – TRAPEZE ARTIST

Seven winners and a stakes placegetter in the space of eight days has propelled Widden’s sire to the top of the third season sire premiership and this Saturday marks the return of Proven’s promising TRAPEZE ARTIST 4yo FLYING BANDIT.


BLACK BOOKER – OTONO

Trainer Kerry Parker has sensibly sent this mare to the spelling paddock on a high after winning her last two starts at Wyong and Kembla. In her latest victory, she defeated benchmark 64 rivals in a time that was only 0.8 lengths slower than the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) on the same day. With a record that now reads 6:3-1-0, this 4yo mare is one to follow next preparation once she gets out to 1600m and beyond.


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

Wyong Wednesday March 19

BM72 Handicap 1200m

ICONIC TREASURE

Joe Pride/Jay Ford

Comment: Put in an uncharacteristically poor run last start when finishing 4.5 lengths from the winner at Warwick Farm. Normally a very consistent type, he’s worth a forgive run and is afforded an inside draw here which should be advantageous.

 


Newcastle Thursday March 20

Maiden Handicap 900m

MOONLIGHT GAMBLER

Joe Pride/Jay Ford

Comment: Just collared late when beaten 0.2 lengths first-up over 1000m at Kembla. Back to 900m looks like it will be in his favour but has drawn the outside in a field of nine so will need a touch of luck to go one better.

 


Kembla Grange Saturday March 22

Provincial-Midway Championship Qualifier 1400m

FLYING BANDIT

Kerry Parker/Nick Heywood

Comment: First-up. Won four from eight and looks to have more upside than most of his opposition here. Best form is over further but has the class to give this a shake.

 


Eagle Farm Saturday March 22

BM85 Handicap 1400m

NAVAL TRADER

Matt Hoysted/Jack Martin

Comment: Just pipped on the line first-up when having to make a sustained run around Doomben. Much better suited to Eagle Farm and has drawn to settle in a stalking position. Yet to miss a place in four second-up attempts.

 


Sunshine Coast Sunday March 23

Class 2 Handicap 1400m

MOONFLEET

Matt Hoysted/TBA

Comment: Got mobile late first-up over 1200m then had no luck going to 1400m second-up. Should be peaking fitness wise now and was a winner when third-up last campaign.

 


 

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