Another wet Sydney forecast is set to give STOCKMAN his chance at Group 1 glory in Saturday’s $1.5 million Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill.
STOCKMAN was also nominated for the Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) but trainer Joe Pride is keen to give the son of TAVISTOCK a shot at the Rosehill major.
Up to 60mm of rain could fall in western Sydney between Wednesday and Saturday which will ensure the track stays in the heavy range, a surface STOCKMAN has built an imposing record of four wins and two placings from seven starts.
Whilst the weight-for-age scale of the Tancred Stakes is not ideal, most of STOCKMAN’s rivals in the race have questionable heavy track form.
Normally we would be hoping for Sydney’s deluge to finally end but in this case we would be happy with a heavy 12 track!
And if we can get back to a soft track come Doncaster day for PRIVATE EYE then even better! Joe has decided to put the blinkers back on PRIVATE EYE for his autumn grand final which will give him the chance to become one of only a handful of horses to conquer Randwick’s two mile majors in the same season (Epsom & Doncaster).
Outside of STOCKMAN, HANG FIVE is another upcoming runner of interest. The 2YO son of ASTERN returns from a freshen-up in the opener at Eagle Farm on Wednesday where he is an odds-on favourite to break his maiden. On debut in February he was a fast-finishing second to promising stablemate PRINCE SHALAA.
Coincidentally, Proven purchased a half-sister to PRINCE SHALAA at the Magic Millions March QTIS Sale this week. By SPIRIT OF BOOM from LADY SIOUX, the filly was knocked down for $60k and will be joining the high-flying Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted stable. We then went back to the SPIRIT OF BOOM well later in the sale, purchasing a filly from STRATUM mare POMPOSITY for the same price. More information on these acquisitions can be found on our AVAILABLE HORSES page.
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BLACKBOOKER
It might be worth forgiving the run of HE KNOWS last Saturday at the Gold Coast. The gelding was never closer than three wide at the tail of the field and had to make a long searching run to get into the race. Around a tight track like the Gold Coast, horses simply don’t win from where he was in the run. First-up he was good and certainly wouldn’t shock to see him bounce back next start.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Eagle Farm Wednesday March 23
QTIS 2YO C&G Maiden Plate 1200m:
HANG FIVE
Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted/Billy Egan
Comment: Just missed on debut at Doomben last month after settling back in the field. Up to 1200m and switching to Eagle Farm look made to order for this promising colt.
Class 1 Plate 1400m:
TERANGA
Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Got the money on protest at her first start. She really motored home there and can only improve. A wide barrier not ideal though.
Rosehill Saturday March 26
Group 1 Tancred Stakes 2400m:
STOCKMAN
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: A big test going to Group 1 weight-for-age company but has elite heavy track form and you can’t say that about any of the others here. Yes 2400m.
Wyong Saturday March 26
Maiden Handicap 1350m:
STANDOVER MAN
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Ok effort on debut when striking a very heavy track at Goulburn. Fitter and further are pluses but would need the predicted rain to steer clear of the Central Coast.
Sunshine Coast Sunday March 27
QTIS 3YO Benchmark 62 Handicap 1200m:
THATFEELSBETTER
Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: First-up. Consistent type who boasts a second to PRINCE OF BOOM. Been prominent in both lead-up trials so expecting him to be figuring somewhere in the finish again.
COME CLEAN
Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Sound effort over this track and distance when making up good ground to finish on the heels of the placegetters. Better for the run and can go on with it now.
