neil evans
A talented seven-year-old whose frustrating career has virtually been put on hold for the past year can kick-start a new horizon at Monday’s Taree meeting.
Great Idea, a gelded son of dual Cox Plate winner So You Think, has only raced twice since capping an exciting campaign from the middle of last year, winning three from four in an eight-week spread.
That was all when he was stabled with Ben Blay at Muswellbrook, charging home on wet tracks to win his maiden and Benchmark 58 at Tamworth, before rocketing home from the back to claim a Class 2 at Tuncurry in early September.
But just when he was ready to tackle bigger races, Great idea was forced into the paddock and didn’t re-emerge until late February, failing in a tougher Class 4 Country Championship Preview.
Four weeks later, he finished well down the track in a Class 3 at Muswellbrook before again being spelled, then transferred into the Nacim Dilmi yard at Wyong.
He’s been fitted with two easy trials over the past five weeks, the latest doing his best work late at Gosford from a clear last.
Finally, after seemingly more gear changes than races, Great Idea returns to battle in a Class 3 Handicap over 1400m at Taree, quoted around $9.50 in early betting.
It will be a stern test for the gelding that sits well behind rival Wyong mare Purple Rose, which opened a $3.90 favourite, and hard-fit Grafton mare Satin And Cash around $4.50.
Great Idea has still only had eight starts and had seen the inside of three different stables even before debuting as a five-year-old in early 2025.
Originally in the Bjorn Baker yard at Warwick Farm, he went to Sara Ryan at Wyong, and then the Blay camp before an encouraging debut at Tamworth where he ran home late at huge odds.
Now he heads to the Mid North Coast to reboot his career for a fourth trainer, with one aspect still on his side.
While setbacks and false starts are temporary, naturally ability is permanent, and owners Domeland will be banking on that heading into spring.
Trainer Dilmi will also be hoping Taree kick-starts a big week, with Wyong’s feature dual Listed Cup meeting on this Friday.
He also saddles up capable four-year-old Bellevue in a very winnable BM 58 Handicap over a mile, as well as resuming smart four-year-old River Jordan in a Maiden Plate over 1300m.
Supplied by Racing NSW