Despite the absence of headline acts THINK ABOUT IT and PRIVATE EYE who are both enjoying well earned breaks, the spring carnival continues for the Proven team in feature events at both Newcastle and the Sunshine Coast this weekend.
It’s been just over 12 months since the hardy 7yo STOCKMAN gave us our first representation in the Melbourne Cup, running a very creditable and unlucky 8th. The old warrior is on a different pathway this spring with Newcastle’s $300k staying highlight, the Beauford run over 2300m, his immediate target.
Fitted by a trio of preparatory runs in successive Saturdays, the most recent yielding a close 4th in the Rosehill Cup on November 4, the Joe Pride-trained son of TAVISTOCK looks very well placed despite having to lump 59.5kg. The in-form Nash Rawiller takes over in the saddle.
On the Sunshine Coast another 7yo, consistent mare OCEAN TREATY, lines up in the 1600m Mooloolaba Cup. The daughter of OCEAN PARK is coming off a game 3rd when resuming in a 1400m Quality at Eagle Farm.
At the same track consistent 3yo SHOT OF WHISKEY confronts his most demanding task to date in an Open 3yo event of 1000m whilst handy mare SECRET TALES looks to recapture form in the BM80 over 1600m.
Elsewhere, Joe Pride sends the resuming LICHESTER and SLIPSTREAMING down to Kembla Grange in what will be a busy Saturday. Meantime CHOISIR mare DEEP CLEAN returns to the races in the lucky last at Doomben Wednesday.
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BLACK BOOKER
Though beaten, lightly raced filly IN FLIGHT showed admirable grit after racing wide to battle on gamely and run 2nd in a fast run 1000m Wyong Maiden last Saturday. A $220k Adelaide yearling, it was only the Joe Pride trained filly’s second start and her first for this preparation. She looks to have her hoof on the till.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Doomben Wednesday November 15
Class 1 Handicap 1200m
DEEP CLEAN
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Justin Huxtable
Comment: Closed her last racing campaign with a tradesmanlike maiden victory over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast. Resumes off a pair of improving trials so can run well from a soft draw against her own sex.
Newcastle Saturday November 18
The Beauford 2300m
STOCKMAN
Joe Pride/Nash Rawiller
Comment: Fitted for this longer journey with a quartet of conditioning runs, the last three on successive Saturdays culminating in a very game 4th in the 2000m Rosehill Cup. His last run at this track was arguably a PB, finishing runner up in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at weight-for-age.
Sunshine Coast Saturday November 18
Mooloolaba Cup 1600m
OCEAN TREATY
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Damien Thornton
Comment: Cracking run first up at Eagle Farm and finds similar opposition and conditions here. Goes very well early in her preparations and enjoys 1600m plus the big stretches of the Sunshine Coast.
QTIS 3YO Hanidcap 1000m
SHOT OF WHISKEY
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Kyle Wilson-Taylor
Comment: Began his career in style winning at this track & distance back in February. However his 4 runs this campaign have been underwhelming though has managed placings at this course at his two most recent runs in significantly weaker company.
BM80 Hanidcap 1600m
SECRET TALES
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Kyle Wilson-Taylor
Comment: Has only been moderate in 3 runs this campaign following a consistent level of performance last prep. Loves this track so gets the chance for redemption though she’s a long way off that stunning 18 length victory as a juvenile. A most important run in the context of her overall career.
Kembla Grange Saturday November 18
Class 1 F&M Handicap 1200m
LICHESTER
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Form is a puzzling mix of genuine commitment and diabolical failure. Broke her maiden at this track last time in on a heavy surface, then ran well at Goulburn before flopping monumentally at Gosford when blinkers were applied. Trials have been sharp this prep.
Super Maiden Handicap 1600m
SLIPSTREAMING
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Typical slow maturing Kiwi mare, still a maiden after 5 runs. However, there was merit in her recent resumption finishing strongly for 5th in a Newcastle Maiden. Jumps sharply from 1300m to the mile on a fortnight’s turnaround but gives trainer Joe Pride every impression of wanting a journey.
