Star filly Amelia’s Jewel’s chances of winning Saturday’s Drummond Golf-Northerly Stakes (1800m) have been given a boost, drawing barrier one this afternoon.
The WA Guineas winner will be looking to join the likes of Kay Cee and Arcadia Queen by winning the $1.5 million feature as a three-year-old.
The daughter of Siyouni looks poised to get an economical run from the gate, as she looks to add the Northerly Stakes to her WA Guineas and Belgravia Stakes wins earlier this campaign.
Trainer Simon Miller said it was a “great gate” but warned it was a big task ahead for his stable star.
“The shortest way home is the fence, so I’m not worried,” Miller told Sky Racing.
“I know all the eyes are on her, but she still does a few things wrong.
“We’ve got to step up.”
We were there as @Simon_Miller_ put the finishing touches on Amelia’s Jewel at #BelmontPark and our helmet camera has captured every inch of the work, and the speedo!Pat Carbery spoke with @santassnippets ahead of the Gr.1 Northerly!@TheRacesWA @TABradio @_HamiltonCC pic.twitter.com/WdGEIwy2bC
Despite the inside draw, Amelia’s Jewel still wasn’t able to displace Godolphin Weight-For-Age star Cascadian as the TABtouch favourite for the Group 1 event.
Cascadian, who drew fairly in barrier 12, remains the $3 elect, ahead of Amelia’s Jewel ($3.20) and the other three-year-old in the field Bustler ($10).
Bustler will be looking to give trainer Neville Parnham his fourth win in the race, having won it with Playing God in 2010 and 2011, as well as Kay Cee in 2019.
The gelding, who finished second in the WA Guineas, will start from barrier nine this week.
Parnham said he was confident Bustler could figure prominently from the draw.
“He will probably be looking for a back to follow,” he said.
“Hopefully he can follow Treasured Star or Startrade.
“He hasn’t put a foot wrong since the Guineas.
“We’re expecting him to turn up on Saturday and race very well.”
Railway Stakes winner Trix Of The Trade will have to overcome barrier 16 if he’s to become the first horse since Sniper’s Bullet to complete the Railway Stakes and Northerly Stakes double.
Barrier draw results are in for the Drummond Golf-Northerly Stakes! Cascadian has taken barrier 12 and Amelia’s Jewel will jump from barrier 1. pic.twitter.com/pymqsYcUCM