3 minute read
The vagaries of racing afforded the Joseph & Jones stable a sizeable favour as stablemates Room Number and Mr Aloysius contest the TAB $100,000 Class 3, 1600m Highway, support race to a tremendous The Gong Raceday at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
Revived mare Room Number and gelding Mr Aloysius are rank outsiders in a deep episode against favourites trained by prolific series winners Terry Robinson and Danny Williams.
But the Jones boys, Paul and Matt and mum Barbara Joseph, celebrated as the first female trainer to win a Doncaster in 1989 with Merimbula Bay, are grateful to be part of the occasion.
Two weeks ago, Room Number, who promised plenty early but delivered little, was balloted out of a Highway, unplaced at Leeton and Queanbeyan.
Barb the "Baroness of Bombala" had anticipated, so planned the alternative, a modest Sapphire Class 2, 1600m.
On a dynamite leader's track, Room Number came from near last to win impressively.
So, no worries about ballots this time - Room Number has a reservation to be part of the grand day at Kembla. And with inside barriers, minimal weight and form at the distance, albeit much weaker grade, who knows?
Ironically, Mr Aloysius ($51 into $34 on TAB) was previously trained by Nick Olive, an original foreman for Barbara. The six-year-old gelding has 54kg for Tim Clark and five-year-old Room Number ($41) the same weight for Ms Rachel King.
"The horses don't know what price they are, this mare [Room Number] always had ability but was a slow learner and developed fetlock and suspensory problems," Barb explained.
"We've finally got her right. Up in grade with no weight and she'll run the distance, all her wins at a 'mile'.
"You've got to have a crack for that level of prizemoney while they're eligible.
"Mr Aloysius is tough and consistent, part-owned by our Sapphire foreman, Mick Maloney. Mick does a super job, rides work, real horseman. Nick [Olive] started with me when he was sixteen."
"Anyway Saturday, we should lead with Mr Aloysius as there's not much pace in the race. The mare gets back.
"At my age, I don't travel far anymore with all that's happened, Paul will take them up I'll watch from Merimbula."
Meanwhile, the interminable bond between the footy codes and racing continues when AFL South Melbourne star and then Sydney Swans 1982 original Wayne Carroll travels from Wagga Wagga with last start Albury winner Sumdeel.
Drawn wide Sumdeel ($10), naturally a Dundeel (NZ) protégé, is a back marker but the big track suits the power finish of the staying breed. And gallopers she beat have won since.
Sumdeel is big value in one of the veteran Carroll's rare trips to Sydney. Terry Robinson's So Say You ($7.50), the Danny Williams-trained Shelby Sixtysix ($7), Gary Colvin's Sizzling Cat ($4.20) and Keith Dryden's Kermatin ($5.50) are vying for favouritism.
