Jose Eyeing A Winning Meadows ‘Mantra'

AFTER a lean few years, group 1 winning trainer Graeme Jose has a real spring in his step following the emergence of some highly talented youngsters progressing through the ranks.

Jose – who guided three-time group 1 winning stayer Mantra Lad to 26 race victories and $455,000 in prize money – has only been teetering around the edge of training in recent years, following the sad passing of his wife Wendy midway through 2017.

"She was by far the best thing that ever happened to me and her passing really took its toll … it was a hard slog there for a while but the dogs kept me going," Jose reflected.

On Wednesday afternoon at The Meadows, Jose takes a three-pronged attack into the semi-finals of the Group 2 Great Chase series, the charity based event boasting a cool $47,000 to next week's winner.

Jose is represented in the opening semi-final by the immaculately bred Aston Topaz from box six, while the more experienced High Kings will line-up from box one in semi-final two.

Rounding out Jose's Great Chase hopefuls is the very promising Lots Of Chatter from box two in semi-final three, the talented son of Fernando Bale raced by well-known thoroughbred trainers Colin and Lynn Alderson.

"Things are definitely looking up for me – the two young pups (Aston Topaz & Lots Of Chatter) are showing a lot of promise," Jose said.

In terms of pedigree they don't come better bred than the Ray Borda-owned Aston Topaz.

In the money at each of her five starts, Aston Topaz is a daughter of Barcia Bale and grand producer Nicki Fields, making her a litter-sister to Group 1 Adelaide Cup hero Hooked On Scotch and a half-sister to former group 1 stars Poke The Bear and Out Of Range … just to name a few.

"Apparently she broke in quicker than Hooked On Scotch," said Jose.

"It was a bit of luck that I came to get her. Ray Borda had been ringing me for a while asking me to take a few dogs but with where I was at with everything at the time I decided not to branch out. Then he gave me a call one day and asked me to take this bitch … and now I have four for him."

Aston Topaz qualified for Wednesday's Great Chase semi-finals with a tidy 1 ½ length second to kennel-mate Lots Of Chatter in last Wednesday's Ballarat heat.

Currently a $10.00 chance in betting, Aston Topaz takes on red-hot favourite Mepunga Pegasus, the Adelaide Derby winner quoted a $1.50 chance from box one.

"I reckon we'll see the best of her when she gets a few runs under her belt over 500 yards … I like where she's heading but Wednesday is a big ask," Jose added.

"With the dates the way they are I didn't get a chance to trial the two young ones at The Meadows, which is disappointing. I took them there for a drag and a look around but that's all they've had there. Whatever they do tomorrow they'll definitely improve on."

Jose's afternoon continues in semi-final two where five time winner High Kings tackles raging hot favourite Who Told Stevie, a slashing 27.13 Horsham Great Chase heat winner.

"High Kings is more experienced than the other two, he's had a box-to-box at The Meadows last week and went nice," Jose added.

"He's perfectly drawn in one as he loves the fence but the favourite looks very hard to beat. High Kings is a real honest dog, I'd be happy if he could finish around the money."

Rounding out Jose's afternoon is the appearance of Lots Of Chatter in semi-final three.

Winner at four of his five starts, the 25.20 Ballarat heat winner is currently a $4.20 chance to defeat hot $1.65 favourite Simon Told Helen, a luckless fourth behind Lots Of Chatter in the heats.

"I remember the first time I took Lots Of Chatter to Sale he broke 25 seconds over the 440m and I thought what have I got here?" Jose reflected.

"He's a real nice young dog. I'm just now hoping he runs out the 500 strong but he gives me every indication that he will. He's had a few minor hiccups since last week's win at Ballarat but if he gets beat there will be no excuses.

"I said at Ballarat last week we needed Simon Told Helen to make a mistake to win and that's how it played out. He looks perfectly boxed in eight on Wednesday.

"But whatever happens my dog will be better for the experience, everything is a learning curve for him at the moment."

Lots of Chatter, a son of Fernando Bale and Alotta Luck, was bred by prominent thoroughbred trainers Lynn and Colin Alderson.

"I trained the mum for the Aldersons and when they bred this litter they said they wanted to go halves in one with me so I said yes … as long as it's black," Jose said.

"It's a very promising litter, Kel Greenough has a couple that are apparently city class as well. You don't like to think too far ahead but I'm really happy with how this dog's progressing. He's a beautifully natured animal."