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...
Waikato Stud to Cheer Derby Runners
Waikato Stud will have strength in numbers to add to its success rate in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) and boost its seasonal tally at the top level.
Verry Exciting Weekend Looms
New Zealand horseman Nicholas Bishara will cross the Tasman this weekend to watch his filly Belle Detelle, a three-quarter sister to his ill-fated 11-time Group One Verry Elleegant, contest the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m).
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 28
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Odinson tops May (Late) Sale at $160,000
The Listed Inglis Nursery winner Odinson topped today’s May (Late) Online Sale, selling to Pure Bloodstock for $160,000.
Highview Stud Announce 2025 Fees
With a host of quality performers from its proven lineup – Divine Prophet, Santos and Wrote – over the past 12 months, along with plenty of excitement about the pending arrival of Mr Mozart’s first foals, New Zealand’s Highview Stud has announced stallion fees for 2025.
Yulong Purchase Another Oaks winner for $1.45million
Yulong are in the process of collecting paddocks full of Classic winners at their Victorian headquarters and added another at the Magic Millions National Sale on Wednesday when securing Lonhro’s VRC Oaks winner Aristia for $1.45million.
Newhaven Park Confirm 2025 Fees
One week after Newhaven Park bred, raised and sold Cool Archie recorded his second successive juvenile stakes race victory in the Group 2 Spirit of Boom Classic at Doomben, Newhaven Park stud principal John Kelly has confirmed the 2025 service fees for the first-crop 2-year-old’s sire Cool Aza Beel (NZ), as well as the farm’s two associate stallions Xtravagant (NZ) and Mo’Unga&nb
The Boss Lady Bounces Back in G3 Belmont Sprint
Tough Street Boss (USA) mare The Boss Lady lived up to her name with a hard fought win in the G3 Belmont Sprint yesterday.
$2.1million Frankel Mare - Samantha Miss Legacy Ignites MM National
Back in 2009, the most expensive mare sold in Australia was Champion 3YO Filly Samantha Miss, who was bought by John Singleton for $3.85million and today at the Magic Millions National Sale two of her daughters sold for $2.1million and $1.25million, both going to Yulong.
Yulong Top Buyers List as MM National Mares Concludes
The beautifully related Group performer Call Di has topped the second and final day of the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast selling for $2.1million.