Uncommon James aims to join Queensland elite in Schillaci Stakes

By Glenn Davis

Star sprinter Uncommon James will attempt to become the fourth Queenslander since the turn of the century to claim the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

In a surprise move, co-trainers Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted have decided to tackle the 1100 metre feature ahead of his main mission in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on October 28.

If successful, Uncommon James, a winner of the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield, will join Queensland greats Falvelon (2000), Gold Edition (2007) and Buffering (2012) as Schillaci Stakes winners.

“Fingers crossed he can do the job and put his name alongside those great sprinters,” co-trainer Hoysted said. 

The Schillaci Stakes was not in the original program for Uncommon James, who was a brave first-up third to the Kiwi sensation, Imperatriz, in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley last month.  

Uncommon James is set for a return clash in the Manikato Stakes with the Mark Walker-trained Imperatriz after the Kiwi mare smashed the 1000 metre Moonee Valley track record with a stunning time of 56.47 seconds in the Moir Stakes.

The five-year-of daughter of I Am Invincible has won six times at Group 1 level and is also being aimed at the Group 1 Champions Sprint over 1200 metres at Flemington on November 11.

Hoysted said the decision to run Uncommon James in the Schillaci Stakes stemmed from the five-year-old doing so well in Melbourne.

“The Schillaci wasn’t in his original program but he’s done so well in Melbourne he needs another run before the Manikato,” Hoysted said.

Hoysted said Uncommon James, a winner of six of his 11 starts, would wear blinkers for the first time in the Schillaci Stakes.

“He wore blinkers in a track gallop last Friday and he went well,” Hoysted said.

“It’s probably the right time now to try them on him in a race.”

Group 1 champion Uncommon James was crowned Queensland Horse of the Year at the 2023 Queensland Thoroughbred Awards on Sunday night. 

Meanwhile, trainer Tony Gollan also is looking to capture another Group 1 when Sandown Stakes winner Antino tackles the Toorak Handicap over 1600 metres at Caulfield.

Antino produced a brilliant performance last start to claim the Group 3 Sandown Stakes.

Toowoomba sprinter Yellow Brick also will fly the Queensland flag when he has his first interstate start in the $1 million Silver Eagle at Rosehill on Saturday.

Yellow Brick’s main mission is the $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill next month.

Star Melbourne rider Craig Williams has been booked for Yellow Brick in the Silver Eagle but no rider has yet been confirmed for the Golden Eagle on November 4.

Yellow Brick launched his Golden Eagle campaign last month when nosed out by the Tony Gollan-trained All That Pizzazz in the Listed Weetwood Handicap at Toowoomba on September 23.