DEAMER’S “REPLACEMENT” ARRIVES JUST IN TIME

IT’S never easy to replace your eight-times winning stable flag-bearer when retirement calls!

But Jason Deamer may have found one just in time.

Following the retirement of Hard To Say, the Newcastle trainer opened the new year in winning style with five-year-old mare Just In Time at Canterbury yesterday.

Well supported to go to the post in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1250m) as a $4 second favorite, Just In Time resumed in defeating Fine Vintage ($26) and Zulfiqar ($8.50) to post her fourth victory from 10 starts.

Highlighting Deamer’s training skills was the fact that it was her third win from four starts since the Dynamic Syndications-raced mare joined his Newcastle stable after previously being trained by Richard and Will Freedman and then Ciaron Maher.

“Just In Time had a few issues, but is a nice mare to train,” Deamer said today.

“She had the two trials, and I just had to keep her fresh for the Canterbury race.

“I was worried when Zac (Lloyd) had his foot to the floor on her before the home turn (as the $2.20 favorite Cassiel sailed out with a big lead).

“But she responded well, and was dominant over the last 50m.”

Provided Just In Time continues to do well, she is heading north for a Magic Millions assignment.

That is the $1m MM Fillies and Mares (1300m) at the Gold Coast on January 17.

“It looks the most suitable target going back to racing against her own sex,” Deamer said.

Just In Time was a $220,000 purchase for Dynamic at the 2022 Magic Millions yearling sale at the Gold Coast.

Hard To Say, who raced 30 times for his eight wins and five placings, earned just over $800,000 in a successful career.

“He has been retired to one of his owner’s property on the mid north coast, and will be well looked after there for the rest of his life,” Deamer said.

“Dad took him up there just before Christmas.”

Whilst Deamer posted his fifth winner of the season, fellow provincial trainers had a ball at yesterday’s Port Macquarie meeting.

They won five of the six races at the New Year’s Day TAB fixture.

Wyong ‘s Tracey Bartley headed the list of winners with a double, scoring with Think Of One ($3.30 favorite) and Kickoff ($5.50).

Newcastle’s Andrew Gibbons rode both horses.

Fellow Wyong trainer Damien Lane was successful with I’m Opinionated ($4.20) at her 14^th start.

Gosford trainer Nick Mitchell scored with Winters Ending ($4.20), and Newcastle trainer Dale Wagstaff won with Think I’m Irish ($3.50 favorite).

Wagstaff decided to back up Think I’m Irish in a Rising Star series race for apprentices at Taree today, with a 1.5kg penalty, and Wyong’s Anna Roper took the mount.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JANUARY 2, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS