Good Returns for HARDBREAK HOTEL & KING THING

After a lull of several weeks in which we had several meetings washed out and horses scratched because of their inability to handle wet tracks, a couple of PROVEN gallopers finally made it to the races Thurs night at Cbry. Elvstroem 3yo HARDBREAK HOTEL at only his 2nd start ran a most heartening second after being given the run of the race by Rod Quinn. Fresh and his return delayed by rain, the horse overraced early which in Quinn's opinion ultimately cost him a victory as he was only caught in the final strides by the Redoutes Choice colt, Lemieux.

KING THING, whose resumption has been continually delayed by rain, eventually found an acceptable (DEAD 4) track and duly ran a cracking race. Back in the field he swept home after being slightly held up to finish 3rd behind a horse with aspirations for higher grades, called Reprobate. Tried as a stayer in previous campaigns, the KING appears to have thrown more to his maternal sire (Rory's Jester) and will be trained and placed accordingly in the future. Thurs night was his first start in blinkers and like most of the Rory's Jester's, it seemed to sharpen him.

Consistent filly NO REINS and lightly raced CANITMATTA will fly the flag for PROVEN over the weekend. Both head to Canbera Sun under Kathy O'Hara with the former stepping out in a Benchmark 65 of 1000m and CANITMATTA looking to break his maiden in a 1400m event.