Saturday July 30 2022 may go down as the quickest winning double ever recorded by Proven Thoroughbreds.
In the space of just 13 minutes, improving mare RED RUBI and debutant THINK ABOUT IT won at Eagle Farm and Kembla Grange respectively.
RED RUBI, one of the outsiders in the 1000m Class 6 Handicap, was first on the board with an electric performance.
Ridden back in the field by Samantha Collett, the daughter of RUBICK came home with a wet sail to finish 1.5 lengths clear of her nearest rival.
The 4YO mare is becoming a 1000m specialist with five of her six career wins coming over the distance.
Not only is she a half-sister to our classy galloper SCALLOPINI (2nd in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes last start) but also a full-sister to SHADES OF ROSE, a very promising filly who was an impressive winner at Rosehill earlier in the day.
The $35k Proven Thoroughbreds paid for RED RUBI at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale now looks an absolute steal given the dam ROSE OF MULAN is fast approaching ‘blue-hen’ status.
By the time RED RUBI had come back to scale, THINK ABOUT IT, a 3YO son of SO YOU THINK, was already behind the barriers at Kembla’s 1200m start.
Following two impressive trials, the Joe Pride-trained gelding started a warm favourite in the set weights maiden and didn’t disappoint.
Jockey Rory Hutchings got THINK ABOUT IT into a beautiful trailing position mid-race and importantly, was able to come off the fence where the going was superior.
THINK ABOUT IT let down strongly when called upon by Hutchings and won the contest by a commanding two lengths with his ears pricked on the line.
Upon dismounting Hutchings quipped: “The last time I rode a winner here for you guys was on PRIVATE EYE,” referencing PRIVATE EYE’s maiden breaking win over the same course and distance almost two years ago to the day.
THINK ABOUT IT was also purchased for a similar price to PRIVATE EYE’s $62.5k, fetching $70k at the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Saturday’s double elevated Proven’s tally of winners for season 2021-22 to 58 with a quartet of runners due to face the starter on the final day of the season (Sunday July 31).