THE QUEENSLANDER, UNCOMMON JAMES, LOOKING TO MAKE IT SECOND TIME LUCKY IN THE GROUP 1 GALAXY

By Graham Potter | Friday, March 22, 2024

Uncommon James, Queensland’s only representative in the Group 1 Galaxy at Rosehill, is certainly not there to make up the numbers.

While this is a one-off raid down south before reaching for some big prizes during the Queensland Winter Carnival, the Group 1 winner in the Oakleigh Plate a little over a year ago, has been shown due respect in the betting, sitting on the third line at $7.50.

Uncommon James’ results since that Group 1 success include a runner-up finish in last year’s Galaxy (when less than a length behind Mariamia) and two third place finishes behind Imperatriz (in the Moir and the Manikato – both Group 1 races).

Clearly the now five-year-old son of Cable Bay is a proven top-tier performer.

He comes into the contest fresh after a five month break from racing and he fact that Uncommon James will jump from pole position and Damian Lane, who has ridden Uncommon James on six occasions will bring both his knowledge of the horse and his all around prowess in the saddle to the Galaxy ride, means there is plenty of positives for the Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted trained runner going into the race.

The two horses currently ahead of Uncommon James in the betting are Ozzmosis ($4.80) and Aft Cabin ($5.50).

The favourite, the Bjorn Baker trained Ozzmosis, who won the Group 1 Coolmore at his last start, has only been beaten once in five starts. Here he has barrier thirteen to contend with which could complicate his task. Rachel King is in the saddle.

Aft Cabin, for his part, goes into the race second up. He was away from race action for nine months (since his Stradbroke run) before resuming so he should strip fitter for that run. James McDonald will ride.

Private Eye and Sunshine In Paris … both $8 chances … are the only other horses quoted as less than $10 in the betting.

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