Topliners THINK ABOUT IT and PRIVATE EYE will do battle again at Rosehill this Saturday as they chase another monster payday in the Giga Kick Stakes (1300m).
THINK ABOUT IT took home the lion’s share of the $20 million Everest purse at Randwick last month while PRIVATE EYE finished third after enduring a wide run. Together, they earned their owners almost $10 million from the race and this Saturday the best part of $4 million (including bonuses) will be on offer when they clash over the 1300m Rosehill course.
A field of nine was declared on Wednesday morning with THINK ABOUT IT holding favouritism at $1.75 over PRIVATE EYE ($3.60) – winner of the equivalent race last year (then known as the Nature Strip Stakes), in a career-best performance.
Also running at Rosehill’s Golden Eagle meeting will be STOCKMAN, who backs up for the second successive Saturday in the $750,000 Gold Cup (2000m). The seasoned stayer is not unfamiliar with backing up on consecutive Saturdays and is getting out to suitable distance for the first time this preparation.
Meanwhile in Queensland, our runners this week include stakes performed mare OCEAN TREATY first-up at Eagle Farm on Saturday and undefeated 3YO TOWN CRIER, who returns from a spell at Doomben on Melbourne Cup day.
For all current ownership opportunities please visit our AVAILABLE HORSES page.
To ensure you stay up to date on all things Proven, join our mailing list by entering your name and email address at the bottom right section of the HOME page.
BLACK BOOKER
BETTER GET SETÂ is an established performer Proven, winning and placing in a stakes race in the last 12 months but her trial at Deagon on Tuesday suggests she is going as well as ever ahead of the QLD summer carnival. She led the 1050m heat as she liked and won untouched by 1.25 lengths (watch replay HERE). There are some nice races come up for her which will segue into the Magic Millions raceday in January.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Doomben Wednesday November 1
Class 2 Plate 1350m
HANG FIVE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Justin Huxtable
Comment: Racing well but has had no luck at all this preparation. Had to go back in a slowly run race last time out and couldn’t finish closer than 9th despite running the second fastest final 200m of the race. Small field suits here and has finally drawn a gate.
Rosehill Saturday November 4
Giga Kick Stakes 1300m
PRIVATE EYE
Joe Pride/Nash Rawiller
Comment: Ran a peak figure in this last year and was eased down on the line. Hard to imagine any horse would have beaten him that day but faces a formidable opponent this year in stablemate THINK ABOUT IT.
THINK ABOUT IT
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Reigning Everest champion chasing an incredible 10 wins on the bounce. Extra distance suits and drawn well again but will likely need to produce another big performance to win.
Gold Cup 2000m
STOCKMAN
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Ran an eye-catching race in this last year en route to his unlucky 8th in the Melbourne Cup. Has had a different build up coming into the race this time around as he backs up for the second consecutive Saturday. Would ideally need rain to bring his best.
Newcastle Saturday November 4
C&G Maiden Handicap 1300m
COMBAT CRUSADER
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Coming off a minor set back after being run off his feet on debut at Kembla. Better for that experience but suspect he is looking for further and may need more time to fully mature.
F&M Maiden Handicap 1300m
SLIPSTREAMING
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Caught the eye on debut this time last year but her subsequent preparation didn’t go to script, finishing unplaced in three starts. First-up here she will probably need the run as she gets fitter for longer distances.
Eagle Farm Saturday November 4
Open Handicap 1400m
OCEAN TREATY
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Damien Thornton
Comment: Handy mare whose best form is over a mile but capable of producing a big run fresh so if they overdo things up front, look for her to be storming home late.
Eagle Farm Tuesday November 7
QTIS 3YO BM65 Handicap 1000m
TOWN CRIER
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Impressive winner at his only start as a late season 2YO over the 1200m here. Been readied for his seasonal return with a couple of trials, the latest being a second-placing over 1050m at Deagon.
Sunshine Coast Tuesday November 7
BM55 Handicap 1600m
BETTER YET
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Beaten in the final hop over 1400m here last week. First time out to a mile but this is the time to try it after three creditable runs at 7 furlongs.
