Trainer Simon Miller floated the idea of taking Amelia’s Jewel to Sydney for the $5 million G1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) after her Moonee Valley heroics on Friday.
Amelia’s Jewel enhanced her growing reputation by winning the G2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) in track record time to keep her perfect Melbourne campaign in tact.
A fortnight earlier she launched her interstate spring carnival aspirations in the best possible manner with a comfortable G2 victory in the Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
Miller confirmed Amelia’s Jewel will remain in Melbourne for the G1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield, but said confirmation to target the Cox Plate (2040m) later in the month had yet to be made.
“We’ll head there (Toorak) and we’ll get in well at the weights too,” Miller told Tabradio.
“There are some higher rated horses going there above her, so we won’t be too bad at the weights.
“It makes it an easy option for her and the original plan was to go that way anyhow when I did the programming at the start of the prep.
“When the King Charles got thrown in, $5 million weight for age, you have to stop and have a look and appreciate it.
“But at least by hitting the Toorak you still keep your options open, whether you go to a Golden Eagle or switch to a Cox Plate.
“You have time on your side and you can watch your opposition, both Eagle and Cox Plate, we are in a great position to look at everything.
“She is thoroughly enjoying Melbourne and it’s an easy option to stay there again, it sets you up for your grand final in really great order.”
Friday’s Stocks Stakes win advanced Amelia’s Jewel’s racing cv to nine wins and two seconds from 11 starts with prizemoney soaring to $2.8 million-and the promise of further riches.
Miller says there is further improvement to come from his gun four-year-old and he can’t believe how well she pulled up from her first run under lights at Moonee Valley.
“It was all new to her and she was above herself in the mounting yard because it was night racing and usually she’s at home having a feed,” Miller said.
“We got her home probably at 10.30 (pm) from the races that night and she smashed her night feed.
“She ate up and I thought how are you doing this?
“You broke a track record at the Valley and you’re looking for more food.
“She is tough and is in the zone, she’s going that good and is so happy.
“That’s the most pleasing thing because I would have thought it might have taken a couple of days to regroup and get her head around it all, but she’s just bounced out of it like she had a trot and canter.”