The anticipation is building for trainer Simon Miller as his star mare Amelia’s Jewel takes the next step in her preparation for a much anticipated interstate campaign in the spring.
The exciting four-year-old validated star status by winning the G1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) G2 WA Guineas (1600m) double last year and played her role in a memorable autumn campaign.
The daughter of Siyouni won the Roma Cup (1100m) first-up and ran an agonising close second to Overpass in the inaugural $4 million The Tabtouch Quokka (1200m) in April.
“She had her first little piece of fast work this morning (Tuesday), just stretched the legs at Belmont,” Miller said on Tabradio.
“She’ll trial in three weeks’ time and is doing everything good; her coat is nice and healthy and her attitude is brilliant.
“It’s been bullet proof and easy so far, weight is good and she’s eating well.
“We’ll start speeding her up next week and before you know it she’ll be at the trials.
“Now the fun begins, the boring part is over and we now get to watch her rip up strong sectionals.”
Considered as one of Australia’s most exciting horses, Miller says he can’t wait to unveil Amelia’s Jewel in Melbourne and potentially Sydney.
Coming off his best season of training in Perth, Miller is excited to see how his star galloper will measure up against the best horses in the country.
“It’s exciting,” Miller said.
“If you can’t get excited having these type of horses in your stable you probably shouldn’t be doing it.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge of going over there.
“I know if I have her right, I’m pretty confident she’ll go there and execute because she goes to war.
“She’s a beauty and I have so much confidence in her.
“I just enjoy watching her go around on race day.
“It’s funny the build-up, it’s pretty quiet at the moment, but as soon as she starts to trial, from there you are under the pump.
“Everyone around Australia wants a piece of her and that’s pretty cool in itself.
“These horses don’t come often and everyone gravitates to them.”
Miller remains undecided on whether Amelia’s Jewel’s main target is the Cox Plate (2040m) in Melbourne or the Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney.
That path becomes much clearer after she launches her campaign in the Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 16 before the Stock Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
“I’m not sure yet, but the first two runs will help plot our path,” Miller said.
Meanwhile, Miller hasn’t ruled out Live To Tell joining her stablemate interstate.
The Territories filly underlined her promise as a juvenile in the autumn.
She won the Listed Supremacy Stakes (1000m)-G3 Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) double before a second to Super Smink in the G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m).
“She’s a beast and is back in work now,” Miller said.
“That’s another exciting commodity.
“She pulled up shin sore from the Karrakatta.
“We’ll kick her off here (Perth) and if she launches we might even put her on a plane and head over with Amelia’s Jewel.
“She’s just a weapon.”