SONOFDEC A “PILLAR OF STRENGTH” FOR HOPKINS

JAY Hopkins barely had time to bask in the glory of his biggest payday in yesterday’s $500,000 Four Pillars Midway at Royal Randwick.

The Newcastle trainer was back on the road again today with his winner Sonofdec’s older half-brother Super Freds for a Muswellbrook assignment (he ran second).

But not before he made sure his favorite horse Got Unders was fed and watered.

He had just completed the daily morning chore when ProvincialRacingNSW called just after 9am to discuss the Four Pillars triumph.

The now 16-year-old gelding Got Unders gave Hopkins a maiden Group 3 triumph in the 2017 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle (he had been runner-up earlier in the year in the Group 3 1400m Newcastle Newmarket, now Stakes), and is being lovingly cared for at the family’s Lovedale property in the Hunter.

“Obviously Sonofdec was my biggest win in terms of prizemoney, and remarkable that a Benchmark 72 Handicap was worth $500,000,” Hopkins said today.

“But Got Unders is a special horse.

“I have had him since he was a weanling, and he is in great fettle.”

Hopkins, who has only six horses in work, says fate played a hand in landing the Four Pillars Midway with underrated Sonofdec, now the winner of six races.

“I had this in mind when he started this preparation, but we were lucky in a way as after winning first-up at Kembla Grange, he was second twice at Newcastle on October 2 and 18,” he explained.

“Sonofdec was unlucky not to win both of those. It was a blessing in disguise as it turned out because he would have been weighted out of the Four Pillars (he carried 61kg) if he had won them.”

Ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, $20 chance Sonofdec started from the rails barrier and defeated a luckless $3.20 favorite Meridiana, who got well back and was held up for clear running for some distance on straightening before making up a lot of ground.

A five-year-old by Kermadec, Sonofdec’s earnings are only $37,000 shy of $500,000.

The gelding was bred by Novocastrian Dave Hayman under his Stum-Pees Thoroughbreds banner.

“Dave had interests in a couple of mares in a Sydney stable, and Sonofdec’s dam Imperial Rule (by High Chaparral) was one of them,” Hopkins said.

“She won only the one race (at Orange in 2015 over 1000m), and Dave got her when she finished racing and was able to breed with her.

“Super Freds (by Super One) was her first foal, and Sonofdec her second.

“Imperial Rule has recently foaled a full brother to Sonofdec.”

Sonofdec won races at Coffs Harbour and Tuncurry at his second and third starts, and his trainer had a “throw at the stumps” at the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2100m) at Eagle Farm in December 2023.

Unfortunately he did not complete the race, and Hopkins explained that his rider Martin Harley eased him down, fearing something was amiss.

“He may have slipped and lost his footing as he trotted up fine after he came back,” Hopkins said.

“Sonofdec went for a spell, and on his resumption won further races at Newcastle and the metropolitan meeting at Scone in May last year.”

So much so that Hopkins again ventured north for the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m), where he finished down the course behind runaway winner Warmonger.

“Sonofdec had given the indication he would stay, but I feel 1800m is his limit,” he said.

“It’s a similar case with Super Freds. His four wins have been between 900m and 1000m.

“Again he gave the impression he would get further, but his breathing capacity is restricted, meaning we keep him to the short races.”

Hopkins with Got Unders following his 2017 Cameron win

Provided Sonofdec continues to do well, Hopkins is seeking another metropolitan win with the five-year-old – but not worth anything near yesterday’s $500,000 – in a 1600m Benchmark 78 Handicap at his home track’s The Hunter meeting on Saturday week.

HOOFNOTE: Hopkins got an unexpected phone call last night from Newcastle apprentice William Stanley.

“Will has ridden Sonofdec a couple of times, and rang to congratulate us on the result,” Hopkins said.

“It was a very nice gesture and greatly appreciated.”

Story John Curtis, November 3, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos