After watching events unfold at Ascot last weekend, trainer Simon Miller is certain he made the right call to bypass the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) with his stable star, Amelia’s Jewel.
The racing pattern against backmarkers validated Simon Miller’s decision, but it was the tight turnaround from the Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) on Melbourne Cup Day that was of greater concern.
A 10-day gap separates the running of the Burgess Queen Stakes and the Champion Fillies Stakes while there is 18 days from the Burgess Queen Stakes to the WA Guineas (1600m).
Amelia’s Jewel is one of 16 acceptors for the G2 WA Guineas and the hot $2.25 favourite, firming from her opening quote of $2.70. Buster is next at $4.20 and All The Kings Men $7.50.
After a hard fought second to Laced Up Heels in the Burgess Queen Stakes, Miller believes three weeks between runs will give Amelia’s Jewel an improved chance of winning Saturday’s Sky Racing WA Guineas.
“We pulled the right rein and didn’t run her last week as it was probably a little taxing for her, she felt the run out of the Burgess Queen for a few days,” Miller said on Tabradio.
“We gave her every opportunity to go there and just before acceptances I took her out, that way I wasn’t tempted to run her later in the week.
“Then you see how the track unfolded and we probably weren’t going to be able to win anyhow, the way the track played.
“She would probably have had a gut buster and then I back her up a week later.
“I think we’ve got rewarded and we’ve drawn a gate.
“She was pretty well on Saturday and her work on Tuesday was pretty good, it was a strong piece of work.
“The clock was strong; she recovered pretty well and hasn’t missed a beat since.”
In a capacity line up, Amelia’s Jewel has drawn ideally in barrier five for jockey, Pat Carbery.
Along with the only other filly in the WA Guineas, Linden Lady, she carries the 54.5kg minimum, 3 ½ kg less than the Burgess Queen Stakes.
Miller says Amelia’s Jewel will be afforded a perfect run from her starting gate and after suffering her first defeat in the Burgess Queen Stakes, he’s positive she can bounce back.
“It probably makes Pat’s (Carbery) job easier this time, rather than go back where he’s had his hand forced a few times,” Miller said.
“Pat’s tickled pink, he’s ridden her everyday this prep and he’s happy, I’m happy and the stables happy.
“She drops weight from her last start, has trained on since, looks a million dollars, so we are ready.”
Miller be out to end an exasperating run in the WA Guineas after placing previously with Stay Safe, Lady Cosmology, Flirtini, Achernar Star, Miss Rose De Lago and Darlington Abbey.