The Grand Final long weekend will see five Proven Thoroughbreds horses compete across four venues.
Veteran gelding REALLY REILLY (pictured), trained by Steve O’Dea, steps out over 2000m for the first time in his 48-start career in the last event at Doomben on Saturday but is racing as though he is looking for the extra distance and will appreciate a rain-affected track.
Meanwhile at Newcastle, promising staying three-year-old THE GOLDEN HIND rises to 1500m following a slashing first-up run over 1300m at Goulburn.
We then move to the Sunshine Coast Sunday meeting where O’Dea-trained pair TOO HOT TO HOLD and HI ZERO contest the 1200m QTIS 3YO Fillies Maiden and the 1200m QTIS 3YO Colts & Geldings Maiden.
Proven Thoroughbreds will round out the long weekend festivities with old warrior GAMBLESTOWN lining up over 1800m at Randwick’s Kensington track on Monday. The Joe Pride-trained eight-year-old will be ridden by Jay Ford and is on the cusp of taking his career earnings past $300,000.
Wednesday at the Gold Coast represents an important day in the careers of SORNJA and WAS IT WORTH IT. The former is hoping to finally convert a handful of city placings to an overdue win in the 1400m BM65 while the latter is out to go one better than last start when he races in the 1800m BM70.
SHOW ME THE HONEY is another possible runner in the week ahead, nominated for Hawkesbury’s Thursday card after finishing a commendable third at Rosehill last Wednesday.
Tuesday morning jumpouts will see O’Dea trio EVERYDAY LADY, SIENNA ROSE and COOL SEQUENCE ramp up their preparations for their return to racing.