UNCOMMON STAY WILL ALL BE WORTH IT

A Three-night stay in Melbourne will mark owner-breeder Caitlin Hoysted’s longest stint away from her daughter Lydia in two years, but it will all be worth it if Uncommon James can win his maiden Group 1 in Saturday’s Oakleigh Plate at Sandown.

Hoysted, wife of co-trainer Matt, has played the role of trainer and breeder, but the job of being a mum has occupied most of her time in the last two years.

Usually a bundle of nerves, Hoysted admits the steadier of barrier 14 on Saturday has lowered expectations for her star sprinter, who will not start favourite for just the second time in his brief career.

With Everest and Quokka slot holders circling, the red-hot Oakleigh Plate (1100m) shapes as one of the races of the autumn and could provide the training duo of Steve O’dea and Matt Hoysted their first Group 1.

Never running outside the quinella in his seven career starts, Uncommon James has gathered a strong following from Queenslanders, in part to his connection to Brothers Rugby Union through his butchers stripes colours.

“I’m not too bad, normally I am a mess and I can’t sleep,” Caitlin laughed. “It is the first time he hasn’t been favourite since I can remember really.

“The pressure isn’t there, it is a Group 1, so I have never had to be nervous about a Group 1.

“We have a whole tribe of people backing and supporting him in the butchers stripes, whether it is Brothers footy club, or just Queenslanders getting behind him, they are loud supporters.

“To us, he is just the boy from Cooroy – a population of 3000, it is exciting.”

Taking over the Lavin Park property from her father and Brothers Rugby Union icon Peter, Hoysted is looking for what would be an emotional victory on Saturday.

“We won the Magic Millions 3YO in 2008, but that is it really, (Uncommon James’ dam) Pickabee ran third in a Listed race, but this is the biggest experience we have had by far,” she said.

“We have Buying Time in on Saturday (at Doomben) as well, so it will break the day up a bit.

“Matt is really happy with him, his coat is fantastic and he has dappled up, we can’t ask for much more.”

Uncommon James is rated a $10 chance with TAB to win his maiden Group 1.