Progressive jumper proving a point
Point Proven is living up to his name and carrying on a proud family tradition that covers more than four decades.
The versatile Keeper seven-year-old has won his last two starts over hurdles and on the flat and will attempt a significant hat-trick in the Jo McGartland Memorial Steeplechase (4280m) at the Phar Lap Raceway on Friday.
“He’s going for three in a row in three different disciplines, I’m sure Kevin Myers has done that in his time but it would be pretty rare for a Southland horse,” Point Proven’s breeder, owner and trainer Greg Wright said.
“We’ve had 86 wins with the family. We’ve been racing for 43 years and they all stem back from Polly Porter.”
Trained by Wright’s mother Pauline, Polly Porter won eight races including the Group 1 George Adams Handicap (1600m) at Trentham and finished third in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.
She is the third dam of Point Proven, who has next month’s Hospitality New Zealand Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m) on his programme.
“He’ll probably run in the maiden steeplechase on the first day,” Wright said.
“The main thing about him is that he handles any sort of bad ground.
“Some of the North Island horses are probably more brilliant than him on better ground, but on a bad track the National Hurdles will suit him. He just keeps trucking and stays all day.”
Point Proven, who spent a period with Kevin Myers to further his jumping education, won a maiden hurdle at Timaru before he was successful in Rating 65 company over a mile at Wingatui at his most recent appearance.