Invincible Spirit stallion Cable Bay (IRE) shuttled to Victoria for four seasons from 2017 to 2020 leaving just two stakes-winners here and one of them, Uncommon James, became his first Group I winner on Saturday when taking out a thrilling rendition of the Group I MRC Oakleigh Plate (1100m).
Trained at Eagle Farm by Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted, Uncommon James has a great record and tuned up for his first Group I tilt with a last start second in the Group II MRC Rubiton Stakes to Lofty Strike.
Under a great ride from Ben Thompson, Uncommon James was able to turn the tables on the three year-old, powering clear to win by three-quarters of a length with quality mare Asfoora in third place.
With six wins and two seconds from eight starts, Uncommon James has never missed a place and has earned over $830,000 in prizemoney with this victory giving his young rider his first Group I win.
“It means so much, it means everything ... I am mess,” Thompson said.
“Obviously, it’s one thing every jockey dreams of, and not many get to put Group 1-winning rider next to your name.
“It’s so lucky for it to have happened.
“Just the way it panned out. Uncommon James, I have had a lot to do with, I rode him in his first ever jump-out and I’ve ridden him in Queensland three times for three wins.”
Co-Trainer Matthew Hosted Hoysted indicated the Group I Newmarket or The Galaxy would be considered next for Uncommon James.
“I just knew he had so much improvement in him coming in here first-up,” Hoysted said.
“The last week he has just improved out of sight.”
“The sky is the limit; he is still learning what he is doing this horse, so hopefully we can have a fair bit of fun in the next 12 months.”
A homebred for Lavin Park Racing and Breeding, Uncommon James is the first foal to race out of the stakes-placed Jet Spur mare Pickabee, a sister to the Listed stakes-winner Emmalene.
Pickabee died earlier this month, but has a 2yo filly by Capitalist and a yearling colt by Yes Yes Yes with a Dundeel filly born last spring.
Uncommon James is the best of eight stakes-winners worldwide for Cable Bay.
