DEAMER CHALKS UP ANOTHER BRISBANE SUCCESS

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AS far as winning races is concerned, Brisbane has become like a “second home” to Jason Deamer.

The Newcastle trainer added another Queensland “scalp” to his tally when Spaceballs scored easily at Eagle Farm yesterday.

Ridden by Brisbane’s leading jockey Ben Thompson, Spaceballs ($5) took full advantage of clear running near the inside in the straight to take One Metropolitan Win Handicap (1400m).

The Dynamic Thoroughbreds syndicate mare burst clear over the closing stages to defeat $4 favorite Rochedale Hero by nearly two lengths, with fellow Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ Tasoraay ($6) grabbing third out wide on the track.

Deamer has made travelling his horses to South-east Queensland for suitable races an art form.

In fact he had Lees’ help indirectly to orchestrate a victory with Spaceballs.

He sent the mare to Lees’ Gold Coast base overnight on Thursday, and Lees’ Gold Coast foreman Mel Eggleston took her to the races yesterday.

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“I’m fortunate to be in such a position where I can float my horses to the Gold Coast, and for Mel to look after them when I can’t be there,” Deamer said today.

“This looked a suitable race for Spaceballs, and it worked out perfectly.

“Ben (Thompson) was confident he would be able to get an inside run on the mare.

“Although the rail was out four and half metres, they had been rolling off the fence in earlier races.”

Spaceballs’ triumph was the culmination of plenty of thought on both Deamer and Dynamic’s part.

“We had her in a Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m) against her own sex at Rosehill Gardens last Wednesday, but she drew poorly,” Deamer said.

“Spaceballs also was an acceptor for a 1400m Benchmark 72 at Warwick Farm tomorrow where she drew well, but we opted to go to Brisbane.

“Most likely she will come back home and we will find another suitable race for her.”

Deamer has done an excellent job with Spaceballs, for whom Dynamic secured for $80,000 as a Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling in 2023.

The now five-year-old daughter of Dundeel began her career with Ciaron Maher, who won a midweek Warwick Farm Maiden (1200m) with her in February last year, hence her eligibility for the Eagle Farm race.

“Spaceballs had been trained at Bong Bong before Ciaron took over the Crown Lodge stables at Warwick Farm, and wasn’t used to working at a racecourse,” Deamer said.

“She is used to it now, and is more settled.”

Deamer didn’t waste any time putting his stamp on the mare.

Spaceballs scored at Hawkesbury in February at her first start for him, and then was placed at Newcastle and Doomben before going for a break.

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She was having her second start this time back in work, with the promise of more success ahead.

Whilst Lees couldn’t beat Spaceballs with Tasoraay at Eagle Farm, he did score with the promising Beneath The Rock at Newcastle yesterday.

The lightly-raced four-year-old daughter of Unite and Conquer started a $2.90 favorite in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m), and romped home by three lengths.

That was only her third start and first since a Warwick Farm midweek Maiden (1200m) triumph in early June.

Beneath The Rock’s rider Aaron Bullock completed a double after a shock victory earlier on Taree trainer Tony Ball’s $101 bolter Whoopi Do in the Super Maiden Plate (1300m).

STORY JOHN CURTIS, OCTOER 4, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS