The Stradbroke Handicap means different things to different people.
The race is filled with a big-name line-up with trainers like Chris Waller, the Snowdens, the Hawkes training partnership, Tony Gollan and other high-profile identities all being able to have another go at another Group 1 … and good on them for rising to that level where chasing a big race becomes a regular occurrence.
But for some others, the experience is an entirely different one … as the Rockhampton based trainer Graeme Green, who sends the four-year-old gelding Master Jamie into the fray on Saturday, can attest to.
“This is Queensland’s number one race. To have a runner in it is an absolute privilege,” said Green, speaking to Sky at the big race barrier draw, “… and to represent Rockhampton is great.”
“The whole town supports racing big-time. You know how it is in racing, sometimes they throw darts at you and sometimes they pat you on the back. The majority of them are beautiful people. It is a very strong racing town.
Master Jamie had his place in the Stradbroke secured all the way back in mid-December last year when he won The Gateway, under a very good ride from Michael Rodd, which gave the son of Poet’s Voice a ballot free entry into the $1.5 million race.
‘The Gateway was Master Jamie’s first step out over 1400m (the Stradbroke distance) and we thought it might be a bit questionable,” said Green.
“He has been a flying machine all of his life … over 1000m, 1100m, 1200m … and to get him out to the 1400m was a gamble.
“He stepped up to the mark. He was beautifully ridden that day by Michael Rodd.
“He is a horse that just hates other horses going past him … and, when he gets the opportunity to dictate in front, he is hard to get past, which is one of the reasons he has a strike-rate greater than fifty percent (13 wins from 25 starts).
“On Saturday it is a different ball-game. He is up against the big boys … and I mean the big boys but, as I say, to even have a horse in that category to be eligible for the race is a great thrill
‘He has been down here for quite a while. He has been beautifully handled and looked after down here by Mandy Stanley.
“Mandy has worked with him since we broke him in together as a yearling and I would have to have dynamite to get her off his back doing the trackwork and that now.
“I am very fortunate to have her in our camp.” (Stanley will be on strapping duties on Saturday).
“At work on Tuesday we went three-quarter from the 1400m and let him gallop home from the 400m … and, when he came back in, he wanted to play coming back in through the side-gate.
“Mandy got off him and said he is just rock hard, and we can’t get him any better.
Master Jamie has only had three runs since that Gateway victory in December.
He resumed after a four-month spell to run third in the Listed Ascot Handicap over 1000m and subsequently has finished unplaced in both the Group 2 Victory Stakes (over 1200m) and the BRC Sprint over 1350m.
At the time of writing Master Jamie is the rank outsider of the field being quoted at as much as $126 by some agencies but, as the saying goes, if you have got a ticket, you have got a chance!
