Trainer Green sounds warning to Cleveland Bay rivals

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Graeme Green has sounded an ominous warning to Master Jamie’s rivals in the Cleveland Bay Handicap in Townsville on Saturday by rating the super sprinter a better horse than when he claimed the feature a year ago.

Master Jamie has been freshened up for the $100,000 Cleveland Bay over 1300 metres and is dropping back in distance after giving Green his first Rockhampton Cup win over 1600 metres at Callaghan Park last month.

“He was pretty dour when he won the Rockhampton Cup last month so he’s been freshened up and looks the best I’ve ever seen him,” Green said.

“I think he’s a better horse now than when he won the Cleveland Bay last year.

“On his Rockhampton Cup win, I’d say he’s probably a good one length or more better horse this year.”

Master Jamie, who jumps from gate two, carried 58kgs when he claimed last year’s Cleveland Bay, but has the top weight of 61kgs this year.

Green is unconcerned with the weight impost and has no doubt the six-year-old will have no problems coping with it after lumping 59.5kgs to victory in the Rockhampton Cup.

“The weight is not a problem as he’s won with 65.5kgs and thought nothing of it,” he said.

Green’s confidence of Master Jamie defending his Cleveland Bay crown has grown since his arrival in Townsville.

“You always know he’s on his game when he’s kicking and squealing,” Green said.

“He did it before he won the Rocky Cup and he’s been doing it all week since he arrived in Townsville.

“Everyone who has seen him up here with his rug off have remarked how marvellous he looks.

“He’s a lot more mature now and a lot tougher than when he won last year’s Cleveland Bay.”

Green believes the Cleveland Bay could see a repeat of last year’s feature when Master Jamie led all the way to easily account for the Darryl Hansen-trained Doctor Zous.

“It’s a hard race – it always is – but Darryl Hansen has got Doctor Zous firing again after he won the Rocky Newmarket with him last start,” he said.

“Master Jamie got a good run last year and cleared the pack while Doctor Zous had a wide draw and was caught wide early on.”

Hansen has tried to win the Cleveland Bay several times but his best efforts have been second's with Luxford in 2003 and with Doctor Zous last year.

Green will be guided by Master Jamie’s performance in the Cleveland Bay but his current plans are to chase the Listed Weetwood Handicap at Toowoomba next month.