By Duane Ranger
If karma had a say in Saturday’s $250,000 TAB Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship, then Our Uncle Sam would win the Group One feature pace by several lengths.
“We are due a bit of justice after last week’s run in the Sunshine Sprint,” NSW trainer Chris Frisby said.
“To be wiped out at the start like that was devastating. But you have to move on and in saying all that the horse has still come through it all very well.
“I’m just pleased he goes well fresh and it won’t have any affect on him. Everything is in his favour on Saturday. The draw, the distance, and his condition. Now we just hope the others stay out of our way and don’t impede us again.”
According to Saturday’s Stewards report, Our Uncle Sam and driver, Anthony Frisby were severely checked from gate four soon after the start of the 1660m Garrard’s Sunshine sprint. They then took no competitive part in the race.
The report said the connections of Alta Orlando were told that the gelding would be 'placed on its last chance in the draw’ for veering out on to Our Uncle Sam.
Prior to his last placing in last week’s Sunshine Sprint, Our Uncle Sam finished a head-second behind Majordan in the Group One $100,000 Len Smith Mile at Tabcorp Park, Menangle. That was on June 30.
This year's Interdominion and Hunter Cup runner-up won the Frisby's first Group One at Tabcorp Park Menangle on March 19 when nailing the $100,000 Bohemia Crystal.
The 5-year-old son of Sportswriter has won 17 of his 62 starts and placed in 15 others for $406,376.
“I think we will see the real Our Uncle Sam step up this week. The draw (4) is perfect for him. He also likes the track, having won on it before. Mind you in saying that he goes good on any track whether it be 800m, 1000m or 1400m,” Frisby said.
“That’s why I might take him to The Inter Dominion in Auckland if all is well with him at the time. I might take him a bit earlier to acclimatise. He’s so versatile, so the right-handed way around won’t bother him either.”
Our Uncle Sam’s nice draw and solid recent form saw him firm sharply from $3.60 to $2.70 shortly after the barrier draw was made in Brisbane on Tuesday morning.
That plunge has taken him to within 10 cents of Tiger Tara’s $2.60 favouritism. Sunshine Sprint runner-up and current Queensland Horse-of-the-Year, Colt Thirty One is the $4.40 third favourite. They are the only pacers quoted in single figures.
“I never take any notice of TAB odds, but I couldn’t be any happier with the horse. I hoppled him yesterday morning (Tuesday) and I’ll jog him today before another hopple-up on Thursday,” Frisby said.
“I never work my horses hard on the bit. He felt real good today and he’s ready to fire,” said Frisby, who arrived at the Tweeds Heads Pony Club on June 2
Frisby said Our Uncle Sam would head to the spelling paddock after Saturday’s 2680m mobile.