More wet weather is threatening to delay the much anticipated return of ACCREDITED at Gosford’s standalone meeting this Saturday.
ACCREDITED lifted his benchmark rating from 67 to 89 in the space of four runs over the summer, prompting trainer Joe Pride to set him for a first-up tilt at the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m), a race the Warwick Farm trainer has won five times previously with an honour roll that includes Proven Thoroughbreds’ THINK ABOUT IT (2023).
THINK ABOUT IT’s victory two years ago ultimately catapulted him to a Brisbane winter Group 1 double (Kingsford Smith-Stradbroke) before returning in the spring in Sydney to claim the world’s richest turf race – the Everest.
While ACCREDITED is unlikely to reach the same heights as his former stablemate, he does hold a nomination for the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) for which he will carry a featherweight should he make the field. The $3 million contest is set down for June 14 at Eagle Farm.
However with scattered showers predicted leading into Saturday, ACCREDITED is no certainty to start at Gosford, given his disliking for wet tracks. As of Wednesday afternoon, the surface was rated a soft (7). One alternative is the Listed Ortensia Stakes (1100m) at Scone the following Saturday.
Kembla’s Saturday fixture is also set to be rain affected but all four of Proven’s potential runners – KING’S SECRET, ELIVINA, MIND BENDER and COLUMBIA BLUE – are expected to handle the conditions based on race and trial form.
Other starters this week include INDEFENSIBLE resuming at Wyong on Thursday and last start winner ELIVINA, who can all but confirm a trip to Brisbane for next month’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks with victory at either Canberra on Friday or Kembla on Saturday.
This week’s SECTIONALS REVIEW (authored by form analyst Nic Ashman) runs the rule over last Saturday’s Group 1 SA Derby as well as FLYING BANDIT’s Wagga Cup triumph.
Information on all of Proven’s 2025 yearlings can be viewed on our AVAILABLE HORSES page.
For news and exclusive offers you can SUBSCRIBE to our mailing list.
SIRE ON FIRE – DUNDEEL
Three weeks ago we highlighted how DUNDEEL’s stakes winning progeny are shifting from male to female and last Saturday FEMMINILE announced herself as DUNDEEL’s first Group 1 winning filly with victory in the South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville.
BLACK BOOKER
No Black Booker this week
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 Thursday May 8
Super Maiden Plate 1100m
INDEFENSIBLE
Joe Pride/Chad Schofield
Comment: First-up off the back of three impressive trials. Will ultimately want further than 1100m on a bigger track but has drawn well and will no doubt have taken natural improvement from her initial campaign that revealed glimpses of her ability.
Canberra Friday May 9
Class 1 & Maiden Plate 1600m
ELIVINA
Kerry Parker/Chad Lever
Comment: Broke her maiden in strong fashion over 1500m at Newcastle last start. Extra distance suits and appears to have a clear class edge in this grade.
Gold Coast Saturday May 10
BM85 Handicap 1200m
TOWN CRIER
Matt Hoysted/Justin Stanley
Comment: No match for an impressive winner last time but was more than a month between runs with 60kg on his back. Won over this track and distance two starts back and drops 3.5kg in weight.
Gosford Saturday May 10
L Takeover Target Stakes 1200m
ACCREDITED
Joe Pride/Alysha Collett
Comment: Back from a spell after going to a new level in the summer. No where to hide in this grade now but has drawn to get an economical run and is versatile in terms of settling position. One thing potentially against him is the prospect of a wet track.
Kembla Grange Saturday May 10
Class 1 Handicap 1000m
KING’S SECRET
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Surged late to break his maiden when resuming at Gosford on Anzac Day. Form around him looks strong and he can go on with it now.
Maiden Handicap 1000m
COLUMBIA BLUE
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Late maturing type making his debut as a late season 3yo. Ridden out to win a trial at Warwick Farm in heavy conditions last month, which will put him in good stead on what is likely to be a rain affected surface.
Maiden Handicap 1200m
MIND BENDER
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Very green on debut at Gosford but hit the line sweetly once she got herself organised. No doubt is looking for 1200m now and with that experience under the belt, she can improve sufficiently to win this.
BM64 Handicap 1600m
ELIVINA
Kerry Parker/Chad Lever
Comment: Broke her maiden in strong fashion over 1500m at Newcastle last start. Extra distance suits and gets back onto her home track.
Sunshine Coast Sunday May 11
BM70 Handicap 1200m
CARTWHEELS
Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Had to change course a couple of times in the straight when running on into sixth over 1200m at Eagle Farm on April 26. Can atone back in grade, as long as there is good early speed in the race and she can get to the outside.
