Street Chase to continue Mason's training comeback

By Glenn Davis

Group 1-winning trainer Jim Mason has been up and down a few dry gullies in his lifetime but is hopeful the roller coaster ride is set for a new twist in Queensland.

Mason ended a decade away from training when Street Chase ploughed through the heavy going to win the Pierata Plate over 1200 metres at Doomben last month.

It was his first starter since Bacchante also won on a heavy track at Sale in Victoria in July of 2014.

Mason has had four starters since for a 50 per cent winning strike-rate and is back in town with Street Chase in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

“It came to the point where my business couldn’t survive so I gave away training when I saw an advertisement from Greg Eurell who was looking for an assistant trainer,” Mason said.

“I didn’t realise it at the time but I ended working with Greg for 10 years.

“I started training when I took over from Gerald Ryan when he was with David Moodie.

“At the time I was Gerald’s breaker and took over in a caretaker role to start with.”

Mason, who won the Caulfield Cup with Arctic Scent in 1996, is now the private trainer for owner and breeder Michael Sherrin.

“I only train horses for Michael now and we’ve got about a dozen horses in work at Caloundra,” Mason said.

“It was a no brainer really to come up to Queensland to train for Michael privately.”

Mason admitted he was surprised with Street Chase’s victory in the Pierata Plate.

“I thought it was a solid win as I didn’t know how he would handle the heavy,” Mason said.

“I knew he was an exciting horse but the win did surprise me.”

Mason has booked Taylor Marshall to replace Nikita Beriman who was successful on the son of Zoustar last start.

The trainer is hopeful of another strong showing.

“I’ve left a bit of petrol in the tank for the Magic Millions Guineas but I think he’ll run very well in the Vo Rogue again,” Mason said.

“He’s a very nice horse but whether he can win the Magic Millions Guineas I’m not sure yet but the Guineas is his Grand Final.”