The first piece of the jigsaw that New Zealand trainer Roger James hopes will lead to the Doncaster Mile at Randwick next month fell into place when He’s Remarkable scored a first-up win in the Group Three Newmarket at Newcastle.
He’s Remarkable, ridden by Corey Brown, was having his first start on Wednesday since being first past the post in the Group One Railway Stakes at Ascot last November then sensationally losing the race on protest.
James had wanted a good track for He’s Remarkable’s return to racing and was on the phone constantly to Newcastle Jockey Club officials checking on track conditions.
Finally he decided to take a chance and put the horse on the plane to Sydney.
“It was not a gamble to bring him here, it was the first part of the jigsaw,” James said.
“There was not a suitable race for him in New Zealand.
“Traditionally this horse gets to his peak at his third run back and the third run in this case is the Doncaster.
“That is the race that is our goal.
“He will now go to the George Ryder in 17 days time then that gives us two weeks to the Doncaster.
“Hopefully Corey will ride him in both races.”
He’s Remarkable carried equal topweight of 58kg, the highest weight carried to victory in the race since the metric system was introduced, but drops to 52kg in the Doncaster.
And while James does not necessarily want a penalty he hopes the horse will go up enough in ratings points to avoid any ballot.
“I just hope that by winning this race we get a run in the Doncaster,” James said.
“I spoke to the handicapper and traditionally horses that win this race don’t get a penalty.”
Brown was impressed with the horse and said he was only going to get better.
“I don’t know that much about the horse but he just felt, near the line, that there was a lot more improvement there,” Brown said.
Brown settled He’s Remarkable ($4.60) midfield and, nearing the turn, moved out to be one of the widest runners then worked down the centre of the track to take the lead in the last 50 metres and beat equal topweight Dao Dao ($14), ridden by Josh Adams, by three-quarters of a length.
Locally-trained Star Of Octagonal ($7.50), with Robert Thompson in the saddle, was a long neck away third.
James agreed that there was a lot of improvement left in He’s Remarkable.
“He is a four-year-old stallion and that is the burliest I have ever had him,” James said.
