Our Uncle Sam Photo by Dan Costello
The open class events in Brisbane in the coming weeks will boast strong depth.
And that was evident on the opening night of the 2020 Queensland winter carnival last night (Saturday) with the longstanding 1660m track record held by champion pacer Im Themightyquinn falling.
The ‘wonder from the west’ set the track record at 1:50.4 back in 2014 when successful in the Sunshine Sprint.
While many have dared to dream of breaking the mark, it’s largely stood untested.
Until Sydney pacer Cruz eclipsed the mark with his all the way victory in the $21,160 Wondais Mate Pace with a time of 1:50.3 defeating reigning Queensland Horse of the Year Colt Thirty One and Watch Pulp Fiction.
He covered the sprint trip with sectionals of 27.1, 29.2, 27.7 and 26.5 seconds.
Prepared by Craig Cross, the American Ideal gelding was handled by Leonard Cain.
The open class feature this week is the Listed $25,770 Mr Feelgood Pace which will be staged over the 2138m before they step up to the 2680m in the Listed $25,770 Lucky Creed Pace the following week.
Another high quality performer expected to contest the above mentioned features is the Chris and Anthony Frisby trained Our Uncle Sam.
The multiple feature race winner is expected to trial on Tuesday afternoon at Albion Park in readiness for his latest Queensland campaign.
Our Uncle Sam was surprisingly beaten first-up at Bathurst on July 1 as a short priced favourite behind Fouroeight in a time of 1:55.8.
“We’re going to give him a trial at this stage before starting up here, maybe some were disappointed with his effort the other night but he was probably a little underdone so another trial will tighten him further.” Driver Anthony Frisby said.
The Frisby stable is all smiles following the victory of classy filly Jenden Strike in the Gr.2 $50,660 Changeover South East Oaks at Albion Park last night.
The Betterthancheddar filly scored a narrow yet decisive victory over local fillies Miss Ruby Sunshine and Fond Memories in a time of 1:55.9 for the 2138m event.
“It was a deserving victory in many ways because she’s been a little unlucky in some of the better races this season but it played out well for us and we got the right luck,” Frisby said.
“I think Dad (Chris) is planning on backing her up this week in the South East Derby so that will be interesting.” He added.
Jenden Strike has won six of her 12 starts to date while banking more than $66,000.
