There will be two Grand Finals this weekend.
The obvious one is the clash of South Sydney and Penrith to decide the NRL Premiership on Sunday but preceding that will be PRIVATE EYE’s mission to win the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick on Saturday.
The $1.5 million event has been a long term target for the horse and trainer Joe Pride (incidentally also a Bunnies fan) believes he has PRIVATE EYE ready to peak.
The barrier gods were kind to us with PRIVATE EYE set to jump from gate seven while forecast rain is also to our advantage. The rest is up to the horse, who has already taken his owners on an incredible ride with 7 wins from only 12 starts.
Whilst all eyes will be on the horse affectionately known as ‘SPADE’, there will be plenty of supporting acts in the week ahead.
BETTER GET SET and THATFEELSBETTER are favoured to win their respective races at Ipswich on Wednesday while the exciting PALAZZO SPIRIT is set to make his anticipated debut in Brisbane’s first 2YO race of the season at Doomben on Saturday.
In the last two editions of the first 2YO race of the season, Proven has won with GOTTA KISS (2019) and run second with STELLAR MAGIC (2020).
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BLACKBOOKER
No blackbooker this week.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Ipswich Wednesday September 29
F&M BM68 Handicap 1200m:
BETTER GET SET
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Baylee Nothdurft
Comment: Consistent mare who finds a winnable race second-up. Has a decent weight but also has a distinct class edge in this grade.
QTIS 3YO Maiden Handicap 1200m:
THATFEELSBETTER
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Baylee Nothdurft
Comment: Talented 3YO resuming off the back of impressive trials. Finished runner-up on debut to PRINCE OF BOOM at only previous start.
Gatton Thursday September 30
3YO Maiden Handicap 860m:
FIERY EXCHANGE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Baylee Nothdurft
Comment: First start. Has shown improvement at each of her trials to date and this looks a suitable kick off point.
Moruya Friday October 1
CG&E BM58 Handicap 1200m:
BOMBARDEO
Kerry Parker/Winona Costin
Comment: First start for new stable. Can pull out a run fresh and has drawn the inside.
Randwick Saturday October 2
Group 1 Epsom Handicap 1600m:
PRIVATE EYE
Joe Pride/Regan Bayliss
Comment: Grand Final day. Caught wide on a leader-bias track last start but stuck on gamely in fourth. Two runs prior were outstanding. Drawn well and likely to get favourable track conditions. It’s now up to the horse.
Newcastle Saturday October 2
Maiden Handicap 1400m:
TORINDA
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Knocking on the door. All three runs this preparation have indicated he has come back well. Just needs an ounce of luck to break through here.
Doomben Saturday October 2
QTIS 2YO Plate 1050m:
PALAZZO SPIRIT
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Baylee Nothdurft
Comment: They don’t trial better than this colt did on Tuesday. Drawn awkwardly but clearly has ability. What will be revealing is how much he finds under pressure.
BM72 Handicap 1200m:
CONTEMPTUOUS
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Jaden Lloyd (a3)
Comment: Got the job done as an odds-on favourite should last time out. Back into Saturday company and gets 3kg weight relief courtesy of apprentice Jaden Lloyd.
BM80 Handicap 2030m:
OCEAN TREATY
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Jaden Lloyd (a3)
Comment: Wasn’t afforded a lot of room last start around the Gold Coast. Form otherwise is near flawless and the extra distance only enhances her chances. Gets in with a featherweight and drawn to effect.
Gold Coast Saturday October 2
QTIS 3YO BM65 Handicap 1400m:
MERSEYSIDE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Excellent run first-up when running on resolutely in a leader-dominated race. Can only improve up to 1400m but is an unknown on wet tracks.
SECRET TALES
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Noel Callow
Comment: A touch disappointing last start when seemingly had every chance over this course and distance. Can certainly bounce back on best form, particularly if the track is heavy.
Sunshine Coast Sunday October 3
Class 4 Handicap 1800m:
DON’T DESPAIR
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Strong win here over 1600m a fortnight back and the extra 200m poses no problems at all.
BM58 Handicap 1600m:
TRAVOLI
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Looks to have come back a furnished racehorse this time in, evidenced by two terrific runs over 1400m. Should be primed for 1600m now.
Beaudesert Monday October 4
3YO BM58 Handicap 1200m:
COME CLEAN
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Comfortable winner first-up over this track and distance last week and will have taken natural improvement. Hard to go past again.
