Uncommon James In a Class of His Own in Regal Roller Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday August 13

After capping a near-perfect two-year-old season in the Listed Oxlade Stakes at Eagle Farm last June, Uncommon James was off the scene for twelve months due to an injury.

Uncommon James had something on them (image Grant Courtney)

The Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted-trained son of Cable Bay (IRE) has taken up where he left off, reeling off three on the bounce, highlighted by a dominant performance in Saturday's Listed Evergreen Turf Regal Roller (1200m) at Caulfield.

Advertisement

Ridden by Damian Lane, Uncommon James was momentarily blocked for a run in the straight. Once in clear air, the 4yo gelding hit the line with purpose, defeating the ever-consistent Ranges (Shooting To Win) by two and a quarter lengths with William Thomas (Nicconi) a neck back in third.

Nosed out by Lime Soda at his career debut at the Gold Coast, Uncommon James has won all five starts since while banking $324,100.

“That’s a bit of pressure off. We obviously thought he would measure up down here but until they do it, you never really know,” Hoysted said.

“He could not have been any more impressive. A Great ride by Damian. We know he has a dynamic turn of foot and he showed that running away from them and he will only improve.”

Not the last we see of Uncommon James (image Grant Courtney)

A homebred for Lavin Park Racing and Breeding, Uncommon James

is the first foal to race out of the stakes-placed, 5-time winning Jet Spur mare Pickabee.

A sister to the Listed stakes-winner Emmalene from the family of Stradbroke Handicap contestant Niccanova, Pickabee has a 2yo filly by Capitalist and a yearling colt by Yes Yes Yes. She was covered by Dundeel last spring.

A Group II winning son of Invincible Spirit, Cable Bay shuttled to Woodside Park Stud for four seasons, 2017-20.

Advertisment

Race Result - Evergreen Turf Regal Roller LR 1200m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 1:08.44
1
Uncommon James
- 4g Cable Bay (IRE) x Pickabee (AUS) (Jet Spur (AUS))
Tnr: S O'Dea & M Hoysted Rdr: Damian Lane 54
2
2.3
Ranges
- 6g Shooting To Win (AUS) x I Believe (AUS) (Octagonal (NZ))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56.5
3
2.6
William Thomas
- 8g Nicconi (AUS) x Girls Rock (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: J W Price Rdr: M J Dee 54
Nicconi
4
2.6
Felicia
- 6m Unencumbered (AUS) x Los Feliz (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: D Binaisse Rdr: Craig Williams 54
5
3.4
Open Minded
- 6g Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Hidden Passion (AUS) (Desert Prince (IRE))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: C Newitt 55
6
4.1
Sinawann
- 6h Kingman (GB) x Simawa (IRE) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: B Melham 60
7
4.3
Hi Stranger
- 6g Zoffany (IRE) x Luxury Suite (AUS) (Viscount (AUS))
Tnr: S Fliedner Rdr: W Egan 54.5
8
4.8
Viral
- 7g Al Maher (AUS) x Tyche (AUS) (Saltgrass (USA))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: D Moor 54
9
4.9
Sartorial Splendor
- 6g Brazen Beau (AUS) x Personal Ensign (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: Jamie Kah 54
10
7.7
Lombardo
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Swinging Babe (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Zac Spain 61
More Reading...
Pedigree Watch – 3YO Plus That G1 Late Bloomer
Saturday delivered another exciting instalment of early spring racing with three stakes races for 3YO’s and once again all of them were won by new first time stakes-winners that were virtually unsighted at two and we also had a new G1 winner, whose path to the top has been anything but smooth.
Lightning Strikes at The Valley
It didn't carry Black Type, but the $200,000 MVRC So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley was packed with intrigue and G1 winners with spring aspirations.
Ka Ying Rising Straight to Everest Quarantine after Return Romp
Hong Kong Champion Ka Ying Rising was headed straight to quarantine to prepare for the Group I The Everest after another stunning performance when resuming for the new season on Sunday at Sha Tin.
More Stakes Success for Impending - Cool Memory Wins Listed Farnley
A son of Larneuk Stud's value Lonhro stallion Impending, five year old Cool Memory bolted in to claim his second stakes win and bring joy to favourite backers on a rain-drenched Saturday at Belmont Park.
First Group I winner for Cable Bay
Invincible Spirit stallion Cable Bay (IRE) shuttled to Victoria for four seasons from 2017 to 2020 leaving just two stakes-winners here and one of them, Uncommon James, became his first Group I winner on Saturday when taking out a thrilling rendition of the Group I MRC Oakleigh Plate (1100m).
Ones to Watch – Bendigo
At this time of year, you tend to take special notice of well-bred 3YO debut winners and three of them arrived at Bendigo on Sunday that were all interesting for different reasons and none more so than one who has a name that has become infamous this year.
Stakes Goals Ahead for Supido Mare
Astute trainer David Payne is no stranger to G1 success and has always held Supido mare Shohisha in high regard and she showed the potential of better things to come this spring when powering home to win the Benchmark 94 event over 1600m at Randwick on Saturday.
First Southern Hemisphere Stakes Winner for Cable Bay
Woodside Park shuttler Cable Bay (IRE) sired his first southern hemisphere stakes-winner when Uncommon James wore down the favourite Maotai in Saturday’s Listed Oxlade Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm.
G1 Haydock Sprint Cup Upset
Wathnan Racing were expecting to win the Group I Haydock Sprint Cup (6f) overnight with short priced race favourite Lazzat, but the best he could manage was fifth behind progressive three year-old colt Big Mojo.
Derby Dreaming for Crown of Russia
Danny O’Brien already has one promising winner by his former G1 star Russian Camelot (IRE) in the stable in Censori and on Sunday at Bendigo he unleased another.