Don't write off Master Jamie warns Green

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Graeme Green has warned against writing off Master Jamie in the Rockhampton Cup at Callaghan Park on Saturday.

Green has never won the $150,000 Rockhampton Cup, which is run over 1600 metres, but it’s his dream - like most local trainers - to win his hometown Cup.

Master Jamie’s critics fear the five-year-old may struggle to run a strong 1600 metres in the Rockhampton Cup on a rain affected track – but not Green.

Callaghan Park was in the heavy range earlier this week but is now a Soft 6.

Master Jamie was successful at his only start over 1600 metres, which occurred late last month, when he lumped 65.5kgs at Rockhampton and drops six kilos to 59.5kgs.

He is currently a $10 chance behind the Chris Waller-trained favourite Bullfinch at $3.80 in early TAB markets.

“His critics said he wouldn’t run 1600 metres last time and he won,” Green said.

“That was reflected in the betting when he also started at $10.

“He’s been carrying big weights up here so it’s a big weight drop, which will suit him."

Green also is unconcerned about the track conditions as Master Jamie has won two starts in the heavy and has a win and two placings from five starts on slow tracks.

“He loves the sting out of the ground and he’s proven he can carry big weights,” Green said.

“He’s a real iron horse.

“I said for a long time that at the end of his three-year-old season he’d run 1600 metres on breeding alone.

“He’s by Poet’s Voice out of a Flying Spur mare.”

Master Jamie has drawn barrier 12 but Green is reluctant to declare whether Master Jamie will take up his customary front running role.

“I’m not showing my hand except to say he’s very adaptable and can lead or take a sit,” he said.

“We didn’t think he could lead when we took him down for the Gold Coast Jewel in March and he took a sit and only just got beaten.”

Master Jamie will be ridden again by Les “Bubba” Tilley in the Rockhampton Cup as well as next month’s $100,000 Cleveland Bay Handicap in Townsville.

“He won the Cleveland Bay last year and Bubba is booked to ride him in that again when he goes up to defend his title,” Green said.

“I’ve only ever taken three horses to Townsville and all three have won up there.

“Ahooshu won a three-year-old race there last year and Taraki won a Benchmark race last August before Master Jamie won the Cleveland Bay."