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.
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.
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.”
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.
