Trainer Peter Snowden will decide early next week if today’s Rosehill winner Proverb backs up at Randwick next week or goes to Melbourne later in the Spring after winning the Listed $100,000 Bacardi – World’s No. 1 Rum Dulcify Quality (1900m).

Proverb and Indianapolis

Proverb (inside) scores a close win over Indianapolis in the Listed Dulcify Quality. Photo by: Steve Hart

An aggressive ride from Kerrin McEvoy saw the short priced favourite push out in between horses on the home turn and fight off a determined Indianapolis to score by a head on a track a little bit worse than dead.

McEvoy ended up in a nice position, third on the fence, but found himself looking for a way out on the home turn and was forced to squeeze in between the leader Unforgivable and the runner up Indianapolis.

Snowden was happy with the well-deserved win but would not confirm a start in next week’s Group 1 $400,000 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick and is leaning towards a trip to Melbourne.

“He had a lovely run throughout but was in an awkward spot at the corner because they were starting to sweep up around him and the one in front of him was going nowhere, so he did the right thing in pushing out in plenty of time,” Snowden said.

“I would have liked to see him win a bit further than he did, but look he won, that’s all he had to do.”

“Right at this moment I don’t like to make calls on race days, especially after a race, but for me it’s unlikely. I think there might be better options in Melbourne later on in the Carnival.”

Even though McEvoy was happy with the win at his first try at 1900m, he said that Proverb was not completely happy with the wet track as well as the strong wind making the conditions awkward.

“That wind is quite strong down the side. He’s probably looking for a dry track I reckon this fellow,” McEvoy said.

“I’m trying to think if he’s won on wet track. It’s riding on the slow side out there and when I let him off the bridle today he really didn’t handle, didn’t enjoy that ground in the straight. Back on top of the ground will see him finish even better.”

Runner-up Indianapolis didn’t lie down in the straight and handled the jump up to Saturday class after winning his Wyong maiden by more than five lengths two weeks ago.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.