Master Jamie out to end frustrating run

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Graeme Green is hopeful a step-up in distance will help Master Jamie redeem himself with punters in the Open Handicap at Rockhampton on Thursday.

The old adage – weight will stop a train – has been the downfall of Master Jamie this campaign, outside of a Doomben run when 10th after carrying a lightweight in the Listed Falvelon Handicap at Doomben on Boxing Day.

The five-year-old has placed in his four other starts on his home track lumping huge weights, including a last start second when allotted 65.5kgs by handicappers in a 1050-metre Open at Callaghan Park on January 11.

Green has used claiming apprentices Tessa Townsend and Dan McGillivray in his four Rockhampton runs and has booked McGillivray to partner the sprinter again.

Green has not been disappointed with Master Jamie’s performances considering his big weights and hopes stepping out to 1300 metres may help his chances of breaking through for his 15th win in 35 starts.

“I’m far from disappointed. In fact, I’ve been stoked with his runs here,” Green said.

“How can any horse be expected to win carrying the big weights he’s had, and he hasn’t had any peace up front when he’s had to lead.”

Green is hoping a slower tempo up front over 1300 metres could trigger a return to the winner’s list.

“He’s won over 1300 and 1400 metres so I know he’ll get the distance,” Green said.

“He’ll have a freshen up after this run and then get ready for some of the set-weight races around the carnival times in Rocky and Mackay and North Queensland in the winter.

“If I feel he’s up a to a dash to Brisbane for the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival I won’t hesitate to send him down but not to Doomben.

“For some reason he hates Doomben and doesn’t handle it at all unlike Eagle Farm which he loves.”

Green is open to offers to set Master Jamie for the inaugural $440,000 The Archer over 1300 metre at Rockhampton in May.

“I’d definitely consider having a go at The Archer but we haven’t had any approaches from slot holders yet,” he said.

“But they’d need to hurry as it all needs to fall into his planning for the winter.”

Master Jamie will soon be joined by a new stablemate, after Green attened the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last week.

“I spent $90,000 buying a Better Than Ready colt out of a Shamardal mare at the Magic Millions sales,” he said.

“I went there to buy a Better Than Ready out of General Nediym mare but I pulled out at $90,000 and he was knocked down for $95,000.”