Master Jamie eyes off Millions riches

By Glenn Davis

Central Queensland apprentice Elyce Smith has been handed her best chance of a breakthrough city win after receiving the backing of Rockhampton trainer Graeme Green to partner Master Jamie at Doomben on Saturday.

Master Jamie was allotted 59kgs in the 1050-metre Benchmark 90 Handicap but with Smith’s booking will carry three kilograms less.

The 22-year-old is apprenticed to her father Fred in Rockhampton, and is expected to retire next year after she completes her studies to become a school teacher.

Smith is yet to ride a city winner but went close when the Tom Button-trained Mad Irish Tycoon was beaten a lip by the Darryl Hansen’s Go Deep at Eagle Farm in August last year.

Master Jamie is chasing his 13th win in 20 starts and is coming off a close fifth to the Lindsay Hatch-trained Jadentom in the Listed Weetwood Handicap over 1200 metres at Toowoomba on September 26.

Master Jamie, who was ridden by Les Tilley in the Weetwood, went down less than two lengths after hitting the front mid-race.

Green was rapt with Master Jamie’s effort, which was his first start since leading all the way in record time over 1000 metres at Rockhampton on September 4.

“It was an enormous run in the Weetwood but he probably went into the race a bit too fresh,” Green said.

“I spoke to Les (Tilley) before nominations about this race on Saturday and with the weight I knew he’d get we both felt it would be best to claim on him.

“I was very happy with his Weetwood run considering it didn’t pan out as we expected.

“He was left in front when The Odyssey stopped in front and there was no speed on.”

Green believes Master Jamie is back to his best now and will be ideally suited over the 1050-metre dash.

“Dropping back to 1050 metres should suit him as his favourite distance is between 1000 and 1100 metres,” the trainer said.

“He broke the track record two starts back at Rocky.”

Master Jamie will head towards the Listed Keith Noud Quality over 1200 metres at Doomben on November 14 before a possible tilt at the Magic Millions in January.

“He came back home from the Weetwood in good order and he’ll run next in the Keith Noud next month,” Green said.

“He was bought at the Magic Millions QTIS March sales as a yearling but he was never paid up for the Magic Millions.

“To get into the Magic Millions he’d need to win a wildcard race somewhere along the way and it’s not out of the question - we may have a go.

“I haven’t had a proper look yet at what races might be available for him in the Magic Millions but there’s plenty of sprint races for him.”