Bargain Basement Gelding Surprises in Cameron

Mark Smith - Friday September 15

Unplaced in his past five starts, locally trained gelding Got Under pulled off a $26 shock in Wednesday' $150,000 Group 111 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle and credit trainer Jay Hopkins with the biggest win of his career with a horse he purchased for just $1,250.

Without a win since January, Got Unders beat just one runner home at Rosehill six days ago.

With Tim Clark in the saddle, Got Unders gradually wore down the topweight Sound Proposition (Savabeel) by a short head as the pair put a four and three-quarter length margin on third placed Spectroscope.

A Forman for John O'Shea before he left for Godolphin, Hopkins only took out his trainer's license about 12 months ago.

He purchased Got Unders for $1250 from the Edinglassie Stud draft at the 2010 Inglis Australian Select Weanling Sale.

The 8yo gelding had stints with Paul Smith and Ken Lantry before Hopkins took out his license.

The son of Southern Speed advances his record to 6 wins, 12 seconds and 12 thirds from 51 starts with earnings of $415,690.

"When he kept coming just after the 300 I thought we're going to run a place and then he kept coming and coming and coming, it was good," Hopkins told Sky Racing.

Back in March, Got Unders finished second to Happy Clapper second in the Group III Newcastle Newmarket.

It was a second consecutive Cameron for Tim Clark who was quick to praise the young trainer.

"A great achievement by Jay to get this old horse to perform so well in a big race on his home track," Clark said.

"He put himself into a lovely spot. When they quickened before the turn they put half a length on him but they didn't get away from him and I think it gave him confidence as well.

"When got to the outside of Sound Proposition he really knuckled down and fought it out strongly."

Got Unders is one of three winners from three winners from six foals out of the Danehill mare Frantoio who is a half-sister to Miss Margaret who won the Group I South Australian Oaks and VRC Chrysler Stakes.

Miss Margaret is the dam of stakes winner Confront and Celebrity Miss while another half-sister Starnet is the dam of Group 111 winner Dances On Stars.

Frantoio was pensioned in 2012.

Got Unders is the third stakes winner for former Widden shuttler Southern Image (Halo's Image) (pictured left).

By far his best has been the 2011 Caulfield Cup heroine Southern Speed. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.