Australia: Master Jamie back from layoff in Rockhampton handicap

Since his winning debut in November 2018, Master Jaime has thrived at his home track of Rockhampton Racecourse in Australia.

A 3-year-old Australian-bred gelding, Master Jaime has won 11 of 14 starts in his career, and 8 of 9 races at Rockhampton, where trainer Graeme Green is based.

In April 2019, Master Jaime returned from a five-month layoff to win a six-furlong handicap. Last November, Master Jaime was second in a five-furlong handicap after a four-month layoff.

The gelding’s ability to race well after short breaks will give bettors confidence when Master Jaime starts for the first time since Feb. 8 in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs on Tuesday at Rockhampton.

With such a stellar race record, Master Jaime is the 140-pound topweight in a field of seven. Winning four consecutive starts from mid-December to early February can do that to a gelding’s handicap rating.

Master Jaime is quick enough to lead and may need to utilize that speed with a rail draw in Tuesday’s race. Master Jaime is unbeaten in two starts on heavy turf, the expected conditions at Rockhampton, a coastal track north of Brisbane.

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First post time at Rockhampton is 9:07 p.m. Eastern, or 6:07 p.m. Pacific, on Monday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Master Jaime has a solid field of rivals. Raiden, a 6-year-old gelding, has won 8 of 33 starts, including three of his last four races. Raiden won consecutive starts at Rockhampton in handicaps at distances of 5 1/4 and 5 1/2 furlongs in April, closing from well off the pace. Riaden carries 138.8 pounds.

Spring Creek, who carries 129 pounds, will start from post 6 and is likely to stalk Master Jaime. A 5-year-old mare, Spring Creek has won two of her last five starts since late January, with both wins at Rockhampton. She was fourth, by a half-length, in a seven-furlong handicap on May 30 at Rockhampton.