News

Tubman's chance

20th Dec 2009

Tubman's chance buy quick to repay connections with healthy dividend - Craig Young & John Schell - Sunday, 20 December 2009

MICHAEL TUBMAN walked into the Inglis Classic Sale earlier this year without a bean.

The rejuvenated trainer walked out with a filly by Snitzel and yesterday the youngster set betting rings alight. The aptly named Chance Bye blew rivals away on debut at Randwick.

''A regular client walked up with a plastic shopping bag full of cash,'' leading bookmaker Con Kafataris said yesterday. ''It was a five-figure sum, the particular sum was more than he normally puts on.''

Betting houses bet $25 about Chance Bye winning when acceptances were taken on Thursday.

''My bloke backed it at $6, $5.50 and the bulk of the money went on at $5,'' Kafataris said.

''Everyone else then stepped in and backed every fluctuation down to $3.80.''

Before the race Tubman told TVN ''if it jumps it wins'', and the trainer wasn't wrong.

Tubman didn't have to do much selling to owner Jack Knight. The pair was in a syndicate that raced Geiger Spirit, which figures in the family of Chance Bye.

Tubman went to the sales with no intention of buying a horse.

Fellow Kembla Grange trainer Paul Murray fronted Tubman and said: ''I know what you're here for.'' It was lot 464. The relation to Geiger Spirit.

''It was passed in for $20,000,'' Tubman said. ''I walked round and asked if I could have a look at it, they said, 'You won't get it for a penny less than $15,000'. I took it, I didn't have any money at all, didn't even have enough to buy a beer on the way home.''

Tubman has only recently returned to training after giving the game away for 10 years after ''a good one broke a leg on the training track''. Asked when Chance Bye had shown ability, Tubman replied: ''When I first galloped her'', and added ''I knew she was a champ''.

For Knight, racing horses has been a 20-year affair and yesterday was a $150,000 payday. ''I've had a few winners but none like this,'' Knight said. The win was the first for Tubman and Knight at Randwick and jockey Kathy O'Hara was more than pleased.

And Chance Bye is entered for next year's Golden Slipper. ''We've got the money now to pay up,'' Tubman said.

GAI'S CONSOLATION PRIZE

Gai Waterhouse wanted to run two-year-old filly My Amelia in yesterday's Inglis Nursery at Randwick but instead had to settle for a debut victory at Kembla Grange as a dominant $1.26 favourite.

My Amelia was ineligible for the Inglis Nursery, as she was not paid up to be included in the restricted series after being bought. The race was won by plunge horse Chance Bye.

''She wouldn't have beaten that filly [Chance Bye] here [at Randwick] today,'' Waterhouse said.

Waterhouse still managed to score a win at headquarters when Gigas resumed from a spell to win the Vale Jack Denham Handicap.