With news the Brisbane winter carnival has been reinstated (albeit in a reduced capacity), Proven Thoroughbreds is looking forward to welcoming back the likes of GOTTA KISS, SCALLOPINI and RECKLESS CHOICE.
Officials had originally scrapped the entire winter program due to COVID-19 but push-back from participants in Queensland prompted a selection of carnival races to be reinstated.
Proven Thoroughbreds’ top two-year-old contender GOTTA KISS won a recent jump-out in impressive style and is set to resume in a 1050m 2YO race at Doomben on Anzac Day.
In the meantime we are hoping to unearth another Queensland carnival contender from a batch of Steve O’Dea-trained runners in the week ahead.
The latest edition of In The Blood is available to view online HERE.
BLACKBOOKER
BETTER GET SET struck a wetter than expected track on resuming at the Sunshine Coast last week. Heavy rain just before the meeting started meant she was faced with a heavy 10 surface at only her second start. Though bred to possibly handle the conditions, she couldn’t fully extend at the business end of the race. She was far from disgraced in third and had been going well on the training track so it might pay to stick with her next start.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners:
Sunshine Coast Wednesday April 15
Maiden Handicap 1000m:
TRIP THE LIGHT
Steve O’Dea/Justin Huxtable
Comment: First-up since finishing fourth in a hot 2yo race last November. Was a close up third in her most recent trial and is expected to have taken natural improvement.
Class 1 Handicap 1200m:
SO YOU SHOP
Steve O’Dea/Boris Thornton
Comment: Talented galloper who won his most recent trial. Likely to be better over a touch further but in right class to figure first-up.
Goulburn Thursday April 16
BM58 Handicap 1200m:
DOUBLE MAJOR
Joe Pride/Chad Lever
Comment: Impressive debut winner and makes the notoriously difficult transition out of maiden class here. Been given plenty of time to get over the first-up run and the 1200m should suit.
Class 2 Handicap 1400m:
ROMALETTE
Joe Pride/Chad Lever
Comment: Made some ground second-up but never threatened in a real sprint home. Gets to her preferred distance now.
Maiden Plate 1300m:
STOCKMAN
Joe Pride/Chad Lever
Comment: Stayer resuming over a distance likely to be too short for him first-up. Look for him to be passing horses late.
BM66 Handicap 1600m:
WAR DECK
John Bateman/Kayla Nisbet
Comment: Consistent galloper stepping out over the mile again on his home track. Must be included again.
Sunshine Coast Friday April 17
BM62 Handicap 1200m/BM68 Handicap 1200m:
THE BLACK TIDE
Steve O’Dea/Boris Thornton
Comment: Felt the pinch late first-up over 1200m. Always begins well and is expected to be a big improver second-up.
BM60 Handicap 1400m:
DON’T DESPAIR
Steve O’Dea/Boris Thornton
Comment: Did a good job coming back in distance last start and looks ready for 1400m now. Races well here and a repeat of his fresh win would put him right in the finish.
Maiden Plate 1300m:
SEFIRE
Steve O’Dea/Boris Thornton
Comment: Coming off some below par trials but was third here first-up last preparation so hopefully she saves her best for raceday.
BM68 Handicap 1200m:
THE GOLDEN HIND
Steve O’Dea/Boris Thornton
Comment: Not seen in almost a year due to injury so is likely to need this hit-out. He’s a stayer of some potential so worth following him deeper into his preparation.
Doomben Saturday April 18
Class 3 Plate 1110m:
THE WILD ONE
Steve O’Dea/Stephanie Thornton
Comment: Recent jump-out winner who strikes a suitable Saturday race for his class but looks a deep class 3 field on paper. Has won fresh and was narrowly beaten over this track and distance last preparation.