Amelia’s Jewel makes every post a winner in Guy Walter Stakes
The Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained Amelia’s Jewel ($1.80) has claimed a dominant victory in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, securing her first win since joining the NSW-based stable.
She was consistent last preparation without winning, running into the minor money in three of her five starts, including a runner-up finish in the Group 1 Empire Rose (1600m) behind Atishu on November 2.
She appeared well-placed first-up on Saturday with James McDonald in the saddle, with the star hoop happy to take luck out of the equation aboard the short-priced favourite with horse racing bookmakers and lead throughout the $300,000 feature.
The pair were able to cross comfortably despite drawing barrier eight of nine, with no other runners looking to head to the top early.
Jason Collett dragged Olentia ($4.80) back to the rear of the field in an attempt to have the last crack at her rivals, while Alsephina ($9.00) didn’t have much luck when trying to get clear under Kerrin McEvoy.
Ausbred Flirt ($31.00) and Tashi ($10.00) were doing their best to reel in the margin, but it was to no avail as Amelia’s Jewel simply proved too classy for her rivals, securing her first win since September of 2023.
Annabel Neasham was on track to speak post-race.
“James (McDonald) said, ‘What do we do?’, and I said ‘leave it up to you’,” said Neasham.
“I didn’t expect him to take it up (the lead) but she jumped well and he used his initiative. She relaxed really well there and a great example of James riding the horse rather than the race.
“There wasn’t much tempo on paper and I didn’t expect her to lead but that could be a new way to ride her.
“It would be interesting to see what sort of weight she’d get in the Coolmore Classic. There is a nice mares program. You’ve got the Queen Of The Turf later on as well. We’ll get her home and make a plan but that was a very good start.
“She had a couple of great runs and a couple of good seconds but it was frustrating not to win a race with her (last prep) and I was starting to get a little bit worried because she was a WA star but that was a dominant win today and she’s got plenty of improvement to come.
“Onwards and upwards.”
James McDonald was delighted with the win and suggested the Coolmore would be a perfect target moving forward.
“Annabel left it to us as it looked tricky on paper,” said McDonald.
“She began well and that will put a smile on Peter Walsh’s face.
“I thought Kerrin (McEvoy on Alsephina) was going to lead but he took hold to stay one off which forced us to go forward and she did it really easily. She’s a quality mare.
“The next race (Coolmore) is tailor made for her especially after she’s done that with ease.
“The Coolmore 1500-metres suits her perfectly. She’s got a lot of pace and obviously they’ve tried her over all distances but from an outsider looking in, I think 1500-meres would be a spot on distance for her. She did everything really well.”
Amelia’s Jewel is on the second line of betting at $3.40 with BlondeBet for the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) on March 15.
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