Bargain Basement Gelding Surprises in Cameron

Mark Smith - Friday September 15

Unplaced in his past five starts, locally trained gelding Got Under pulled off a $26 shock in Wednesday' $150,000 Group 111 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle and credit trainer Jay Hopkins with the biggest win of his career with a horse he purchased for just $1,250.

Without a win since January, Got Unders beat just one runner home at Rosehill six days ago.

With Tim Clark in the saddle, Got Unders gradually wore down the topweight Sound Proposition (Savabeel) by a short head as the pair put a four and three-quarter length margin on third placed Spectroscope.

A Forman for John O'Shea before he left for Godolphin, Hopkins only took out his trainer's license about 12 months ago.

He purchased Got Unders for $1250 from the Edinglassie Stud draft at the 2010 Inglis Australian Select Weanling Sale.

The 8yo gelding had stints with Paul Smith and Ken Lantry before Hopkins took out his license.

The son of Southern Speed advances his record to 6 wins, 12 seconds and 12 thirds from 51 starts with earnings of $415,690.

"When he kept coming just after the 300 I thought we're going to run a place and then he kept coming and coming and coming, it was good," Hopkins told Sky Racing.

Back in March, Got Unders finished second to Happy Clapper second in the Group III Newcastle Newmarket.

It was a second consecutive Cameron for Tim Clark who was quick to praise the young trainer.

Advertisement

"A great achievement by Jay to get this old horse to perform so well in a big race on his home track," Clark said.

"He put himself into a lovely spot. When they quickened before the turn they put half a length on him but they didn't get away from him and I think it gave him confidence as well.

"When got to the outside of Sound Proposition he really knuckled down and fought it out strongly."

Got Unders is one of three winners from three winners from six foals out of the Danehill mare Frantoio who is a half-sister to Miss Margaret who won the Group I South Australian Oaks and VRC Chrysler Stakes.

Miss Margaret is the dam of stakes winner Confront and Celebrity Miss while another half-sister Starnet is the dam of Group 111 winner Dances On Stars.

Frantoio was pensioned in 2012.

Got Unders is the third stakes winner for former Widden shuttler Southern Image (Halo's Image) (pictured left).

By far his best has been the 2011 Caulfield Cup heroine Southern Speed. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Who Do You Pick? Star Mares of Tomorrow
In chatting with our guest Jim Clarke this week on our Tara Talks Racing podcast we discussed a topic that will no doubt spark plenty of interest from our audience, if you could have one three year-old filly to take forward and race next season at four, who would it be?
One to Watch – Kembla
The juvenile maiden at Kembla on Tuesday was an intriguing affair featuring a number of well-bred and very expensive colts on debut, but the winner was a stylish first starter filly by Capitalist that broke 56 seconds for her debut win.
FBAA Professional Development Day- Food for Thought
The Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia’s third Continued Professional Development Day was again held at Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday 8th April 2025 and was hosted by MC Vin Cox.
El Vencedor Primed for Hong Kong
It is full steam ahead for the connections of El Vencedor, as the star galloper jets off to Hong Kong on Thursday in preparation for the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 27.
Almanzor Mare Benefits from Maturity
Time was always going to benefit Mehzebeen and the Almanzor mare continues to emphasise that in her five-year-old season.
Belclare Seeking to Find Best Form Back in Australia
Dual Group One winner Belclare’s return home for a three-race campaign didn’t go to plan earlier this year, and now she is back on the other side of the Tasman to try and get her preparation back on track.
Bloodstock Brains Behind the Big Stables
The modern world of big business horse training sees all the major players having trusted bloodstock agents as an integral part of their team and in the case of Bjorn Baker that person is Jim Clarke of Clarke Bloodstock.
The Boss Lady Wins G3 Roma Cup and a Quokka Slot
Roma Cup Day at Ascot is a celebration of equine speed with the three feature races all run over 1100m and Street Boss (USA) provided the star of the show in The Boss Lady, who has been tonight announced to fill the $5million Quokka slot for Peters Investments.
Arrowfield Announce 2025 Fees
In the wake of his third Golden Slipper winner and his career-best yearling sale results, multiple Champion Sire Snitzel heads the 2025 Arrowfield stallion roster at an unchanged fee of $247,500, while Castelvecchio has earned a deserved fee increase.
Kiwi Sprint Star Crocetti Arrives in Perth
Kiwi Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti has landed in Perth ahead of next week’s A$5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot Racecourse.