Tuncurry preview: Glen Milligan’s Uncut Gem is ready to sparkle with her first win

Taree trainer Glen Milligan has three strong chances on Tuncurry’s Luck of the Irish card, none better than Uncut Gem.

Trainer Glen Milligan is excited by the prospects of Uncut Gem at Tuncurry. Picture: Facebook

Glen Milligan has nominated the Francis and Chris Cook-bred mare Uncut Gem to be the emerald of the stable’s three participants at Tuncurry’s annual ‘Luck of the Irish’ race day.

Originally trained by Brad Widdup, the daughter of Star Turn has an honourable C.V of five placings from her 11 starts, two of them at the provincials with one of those a distant third to the well-credentialed Eagle Nest.

Uncut Gem changed hands in November 2023 when Milligan was able to secure the blue-blooded (now) five-year-old for $16,000.

Her four runs under the new management include two placings and circa $6,600 in earnings ahead of the $30,000 Forster Bowling Club Country Boosted Maiden (1205m).

Uncut Gem was priced at $2.40 (on Thursday) to win the race having picked up her share of admirers after an eye-catching first-up third at Kempsey on July 30.

Silver Halo proves to be to good at Taree in race 3! pic.twitter.com/SjJeRa5t77

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 24, 2023

“I thought she went terrific,” Milligan said. “We had something on her that day. I thought she could win.

“She had a good blow after the race, she needed the run, and Mikalya (Weir) said she never handled the track. It’s a little tight turning place and she was sort of one rein trying to get off the track.

“But she hit the line well once she straightened up and balanced up.

“The only reason I haven’t stepped her up to 1400m second-up because I just reckon she wanted another run over 1200m.

“Tuncurry is a totally different track to Kempsey. It is a big, spacious track with a good long run in, so she should get her chance.”

Uncut Gem boasts considerable residual value as a future broodmare given her lineage.

Her fourth dam is the Jack and Bob Ingham-bred Protective who is best known as the dam of Victory Vein who was a narrow runner-up in the 2002 Golden Slipper before going on to win the Sires’ and Champagne beating Choisir et al each time.

Milligan’s second runner on the Tuncurry card is the Widden-bred Killzy who steps out in the Buy Your $5 Kosciuszko Ticket Handicap (2105m) with Luke Rolls in the saddle.

Mollie Fitzgerald gives Sigsworth a RIPPER of a ride to take out Race 3 at Kempsey for trainer Steve 'Crusher' Farley 👏

Sigsworth was a $1000 purchase and has now earned more than $40,000 for his owners 💰 pic.twitter.com/07L6v2GHWL

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 30, 2024

The son of Buenos Noches’ sire, Supido, has finished on the podium six times in 23 starts but has just the one win to his credit.

“He just keeps whacking away,” Milligan said. “He always find one or two better than him and he thinks about it too.

“He gets to them like he is going to run past them and I reckon he turns it up but he is picking up a bit of prizemoney so it helping feeding him.

“If he brought his A-game, he is right in the race in the race.”

Milligan can send his army of followers home on a happy note but only if Supreme Command can lower the boom on one of the Mid-North Coast’s most talked about young horses, namely Laizabout.

The Wayne Wilkes-trained son of Zousain won a trial by upwards of six lengths prior to his near seven length win at home on debut.

“I do think Supreme Commander is looking for the 1200m but there looks to be a pretty smart one in it but it’s his first go at 1200m. I think Supreme Commander will run a nice race,” Milligan said.

LANE AND DUGGAN TO COMBINE FOR A SPARKINGLY GOOD WIN

Trainer Damien Lane and jockey Jenny Duggan can raise their 2024/25 combined tally by two should the Wyong residents La Pelago and Sparkingly perform to expectation.

The pair opened their new season account at Newcastle last Saturday when the reigning Wellington Boot runner-up Sneaky Sofia burst clear to win her first race.

Duggan is no stranger to the aforementioned Sparkingly whom she has ridden four times including when the then three-year-old beat a handy field of Class 1 types at Scone on June 23.

“Sparkingly has been a model of consistency this preparation,” Lane said.

“He drew wide again but I think he’s one that you’ve just got to keep him interested and keep him on the bridle. Hopefully he can just slot across, get a bit of cover and then get to the outside in a bit room down the straight.

Sparkingly holds off a late push to win Race 5 at Scone. @sconeraceclubpic.twitter.com/8COjDpjTJN

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 23, 2024

“He has got enough weight to carry but be probably deserves it, the way he has been racing, but he probably deserves another win on the board as well.”

Sparklingly is a rarity in terms of breeding.

He is one of only 87 foals sired by the Gerry Harvey-bred Sheer Talent.

A son of Redoute’s Choice, Sheer Talent won twice in 10 starts including the 2013 VRC CS Hayes Stakes prior to his third in the Australian Guineas.

Sparkling boasts numerous stakes-winners in his heritage and one champion namely Denise’s Joy.

Lane, meanwhile, will wait until race morning before deciding where the new and improved La Pelago resumes.

“I’ve got her in at Dubbo on Sunday as well,” Lane said.

“She has got a good draw at Tuncurry but I am a little bit worried about two things. The one of Kris Lees’ looks hard to beat and it is a Super Maiden at Dubbo so is worth good money to go out there.

“She is in good order.

“She showed glimpses of her ability last time in but she ended up needing a tie-back operation so she has had that and come back and had the two trials back and trialled up really good both times.

“Her breathing was really good in the trials at home in her work but is always different once you get under race pressure.”

Originally published as Tuncurry preview: Glen Milligan’s Uncut Gem is ready to sparkle with her first win