A pair of two-year-olds are set to kick off their careers this week for Proven Thoroughbreds, including an impressive barrier trial winner from the Joe Pride stable.
The gelding, named PRIVATE EYE (pictured), won an 845m trial under minimal pressure at Wyong last Wednesday, and returns to the central coast track this Saturday for his race debut.
Proven purchased the son of AL MAHER for $62.5k at the Adelaide Magic Millions yearling sale.
The other first-starter for us this week is the Steve O’Dea-trained HIGH HANDED (CHOISIR), who runs at Doomben’s Wednesday meeting.
Read the latest edition of IN THE BLOOD – JAMI LADY enhances LITTLE RIVER’s pedigree
BLACKBOOKER
GREENSPAN struck a very heavy track at Randwick last Saturday but needed to have a hit-out first-up to get him fit for longer races. So it was a pleasant surprise to see him run on and finish fourth behind some much fitter horses. He’d never previously handled wet ground so he might be in for a career best preparation.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners:
Doomben Wednesday July 8
2YO C&G Maiden Plate 1200m:
HIGH HANDED
Steve O’Dea/Boris Thornton
Comment: Always hard to get a guide on first-starters but he’s shown enough in trackwork and trials to indicate he will be competitive at the races.
Class 4 Handicap 1110m:
THE WILD ONE
Steve O’Dea/Stephanie Thornton
Comment: Consistent type who returns from a freshen-up here and is likely to get his preferred track conditions. Has performed well fresh in the past and has placed in his last three starts at Doomben.
Warwick Farm Wednesday July 8
BM70 Handicap 1300m:
NICCONITA
John Bateman/Brock Ryan
Comment: Coming off an excellent first-up run when narrowly beaten over an unsuitably short distance. Rises 300m now and gets a handy 3kg claim.
BM70 Handicap 1400m:
INVINCIANO
Joe Pride/Jay Ford
Comment: Forget run last time when she got over-racing on a heavy track. Third-up over 1400m she gets her chance show something here, particularly on her home track.
Goulburn Friday July 10
Maiden Handicap 1400m:
ULTIMATE THINKER
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Racing like she is looking for further and gets that here having contested races between 1100m and 1200m so far this preparation.
Class 1 Handicap 1400m/BM58 Handicap 1400m:
POLIZIOTTA
John Bateman/Jay Ford
Comment: Broke through stylishly last start and can go in with it back on her home track. An inside draw again would be preferable.
Ipswich Friday July 10
Maiden Handicap 1700m:
BRING ME SHOWERS
Steve O’Dea/Stephanie Thornton
Comment: Motored home late to just miss over 1640m at Doomben last outing. Hopefully can settle closer up to 1700m and prove hard to beat.
Wyong Saturday July 11
Class 2 Handicap 1200m
SNIPPY FOX
Joe Pride/Jay Ford
Comment: Sound enough run first-up coming off only one trial. Sure to improve and won over this distance second-up last campaign.
Maiden Handicap 1100m
PRIVATE EYE
Joe Pride/Rory Hutchings
Comment: Impressed in a recent barrier trial win at Wyong. 1100m may ultimately be short of his best trip but has to be considered a winning chance in maiden company.
Maiden Plate 1350m
ULTIMATE THINKER
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Racing like she is looking for further and gets that here having contested races between 1100m and 1200m so far this preparation.