Everest winner THINK ABOUT IT has drawn barrier eight in Saturday’s Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm.
The five-year-old hasn’t raced since finishing three lengths astern of CELESTIAL LEGEND in the Doncaster Mile on April 6.
Two trials on his home track of Warwick Farm have him ready to defend his Kingsford Smith title with the in-form Blake Shinn set to climb aboard under race conditions for the first time.
Meanwhile, PRIVATE EYE has gone for a spell at Kolora Lodge on the outskirts of Brisbane having finished 4th in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, 1.2L behind BELLA NIPOTINA. The spring ambition for PRIVATE EYE will be to secure a start in The Everest for a third successive year, following unlucky placings in his first two attempts at Australia’s richest race on turf.
Progressive filly CARTWHEELS will step up to the mile for the first time at Doomben on Wednesday. The daughter of TRAPEZE ARTIST has finished in the quinella in all four career runs and looks to have a fair amount of upside.
It was a milestone Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for Proven Thoroughbreds with six mares realising an aggregate sale price of $1.635 million. More on that HERE…
Exciting 3yo filly THE BLACK CLOUD is likely to run at Randwick on Saturday week after resuming with an emphatic victory last Saturday, enhancing her record to three wins from just four starts. You can read the full story HERE…
For all current ownership opportunities please visit our AVAILABLE HORSES page.
For news and exclusive offers you can SUBSCRIBE to our mailing list.
SIRE ON FIRE – TORONADO
Bagged his fourth Group 1 win on Australian soil with BOIS D’ARGENT taking out the Doomben Cup (2000m). His previous three winners – MASKED CRUSADER, MARIAMIA and SHELBY SIXTY SIX have all been over 1200m or less. A versatile stallion, he will be represented by TORN in Saturday’s G2 Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm for the 2YOs.
BLACK BOOKER – ACCREDITED
Resumed at Warwick Farm last Wednesday and landed in an awkward spot sandwiched between two runners on the speed. His wheels looked like that spun a bit in the soft conditions and his sectionals suggest there is improvement to come. We feel on a dry deck in a similar race, he’ll take plenty of beating next time.
BET WITH NIC
Our resident times analyst Nic Ashman says history can repeat itself in Saturday’s Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm.
“Rough Habit Stakes winners have a 28% win rate in the Queensland Derby with the most recent being DARK DREAM in 2018. TANNHAUSER won the Rough Habit this year having his first start as a gelding. He needs a rain affected track to show his best but there is a stack of rain forecast on raceday. Wait until it arrives and when it does, back him.”
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Canterbury Wednesday May 29
BM72 Handicap 1250m
LITTLE COINTREAU
Joe Pride/Josh Parr
Comment: Resumes having missed a place just once in eight starts. Won first-up last campaign and hasn’t been let go in two recent trials. Drying conditions suit and ratings have him right there.
Doomben Wednesday May 29
Maiden Handicap 1200m
BOARD MEMBER
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Over-raced on debut still grabbed 3rd in a gutsy performance that saw her run her last 600m 2.4L faster than benchmark for the grade. Providing she settles better, she should be a significant improver.
BM68 Handicap 1630m
CARTWHEELS
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Emily Lang (a)
Comment: Promising filly coming off a strong win over 1400m but her sectionals suggest the mile will be fine. Her last 400m ranked 4th for the day and was more than 6L faster than benchmark for the grade. Huge chance to go on with it.
Ipswich Thursday May 30
Maiden Handicap 800m
LEVAR
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Emily Lang (a)
Comment: Out of top-class sprinting mare, SHAMAL WIND. Has taken his time to mature but his most recent public trial had plenty of merit when finishing a narrow 2nd in the fastest of 3 x 1000m Maiden heats of the morning.
Maiden Handicap 1700m
SECOND SUN
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Steps up to this distance range for the first time but hit the line strongly last time over 1350m clocking the fastest last 200m o the race which was more than 2L quicker than class benchmark.
BM62 Handicap 1350m
BETTER YET
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Resumes and typically needs racing to find her best form. That said, the furthest she’s finished from the winner in four runs at BM62 level is 1.9L. Each-way.
Sunshine Coast Friday May 31
3YO Maiden Handicap 1200m
ENLIGHTENING
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Emily Lang (a)
Comment: On debut. They ran handy time in his most recent trial so the beaten margin might be a tad deceptive when assessing his chances here.
CHATTERBOX
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: First starter. Improved sharply from first trial over 840m to second one over 1050m where she finished second in handy time. Expect her to be prominent in this.
Maiden Handicap 1400m
MOONFLEET
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Emily Lang (a)
Comment: Third-up and improved around 2L in her ratings from debut run to last time. Any further improvement should make her competitive in a race like this but has a wide draw to contend with.
Rosehill Saturday June 1
3&4YO BM72 Handicap 1100m
IN FLIGHT
Joe Pride/Reece Jones
Comment: Terrific return when charting a wide course and winning at Gosford first-up. Beat the class benchmark by 4L and ran the best late splits of the race. Deserves a crack in town on Saturday.
Eagle Farm Saturday June 1
G1 Kingsford Smith Cup 1300m
THINK ABOUT IT
Joe Pride/Blake Shinn
Comment: Back from a let-up. Given a quiet trial ahead of return but is unbeaten in three starts and ripped out the 3rd fastest last 200m of the day to win fresh last prep. Hugely talented and will take some beating.
Newcastle Saturday June 1
Maiden Plate 1250m
DONELEGANCE
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Comes out of a poor rating race at Kembla when on debut. Would need to improve but does get drier ground and did over-race there.
