FLYING UNDER THE RADAR AGAIN, BUT MASTER JAMIE IS READY TO FIRE UP IN THE ARCHER

By Graham Potter | Friday, April 26, 2024

Master Jamie holds a unique place in the history of Rockhampton racing,

The Graeme Green trained gelding is not only the first Rockhampton based horse to pass the $1 million mark in prize-money ... but he is also the only Rockhampton based horse ever to do so.

So, you might see him to swagger into the parade ring before The Archer on Sunday. Certainly, he is not going to be fazed by anything ... in fact, there is clearly more on his side than against him.

The Rockhampton show-piece is a home game for Master Jamie whereas a third of The Archer field have not raced there before. The probable value of that can be gauged by the fact Master Jamie has had thirty starts at Rockhampton for thirteen wins, eleven runner-up finishes and three third places.

Thirty starts is half the number of total career starts Master Jamie has had, making the seven-year-old easily the most experienced horse in the race.

His regular jockey, Les ‘Bubba’ Tilley could not know the horse any better and this horse and rider combination know every inch of the Rockhampton track. The same cannot be said for the majority of his rivals.

Oh, and then there is the weight consideration. Master Jamie drops 8.5kg in weight from his last start.

If you want to put that in perspective, Master Jamie was beaten into third place that day by Hard Reyva ... finishing just over a length behind the winner ... who carried a whopping 14kg less than Master Jamie (a 67.5kg to 53.5 difference).

Master Jamie and Hard Reyva will meet at level weights in The Archer.

Master Jamie is going to feel like he is carrying a feather.

But, perhaps the most pertinent point is how is Master Jamie travelling right now as he prepares to take on this third-up assignment?

“I don’t think I’ve seen him any better than he is at this stage,” said trainer Graeme Green.

“He is very fit. He is very strong. He is nice and bright ... and he’s got that air of arrogance about him he had just before the Rocky Cup last year. He knows he is good and sometimes he likes to dictate a bit on the track and things like that.

“I’m very pleased with him so far. He can come into it proudly with his millionaire’s cap on.

“His trademark is he hates being headed ... and he loves a dogfight ... and, dropping back in weights where he is coming into it on an even keel with other horses, he is going to be very competitive. He drops 8.5kg and he knows every blade of grass on that track inside out.

“Bubba is on him again. He is a very good mate of mine. He has been with me for a long time now. He is very loyal.”

For all of the positives referred to above, Master Jamie regularly seems to fly under the radar of many punters.

“Well, that was not the case today,” volunteered Green. ‘He opened up at $34 and he is in to $17 now. So, someone’s had a good dig at him at big odds.”

If Master Jamie salutes, those who are on him at long odds won’t be the only ones smiling.

The whole town will be celebrating a local hero!

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