Trainer Simon Miller says Amelia’s Jewel is “in the zone” and expects the inside draw to allow her superb talent to run her own race in Saturday’s Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot.
The only three-year-old filly in the race, Amelia’s Jewel crossed the barrier in Tuesday’s draw in a field that now has 15 runners for the $1.5 million main event.
It will be the first time the star daughter of Siyouni has faced older horses, including multiple Group 1 winner Cascadian, in her career, but Miller is confident she will be up to the task.
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Amelia’s Jewel produced a stellar performance to win the Group 2 WA Guineas last start and carries the lower weight of just 50kg with Pat Carbery aboard in the Northerly.
“He’s on the right track, still in the zone and he took a nice goal,” Miller said.
“The shortest way home is the fence.
“You need luck from any wicket, you always need luck in the run, so they should allow Pat (Carbery) to lead his own run.
“He can ride her where she’s happy from that gate and she doesn’t have to maneuver or do anything silly.
“He should be able to let everything develop as it goes.”
Amelia’s Jewel was the early favorite for the Northerly Stakes but was replaced at the top of the betting on Tuesday after a sustained move for Godolphin galloper Cascadian.
Cascadian was $3.50 into $2.80 with TAB and remained firmly at the top of the betting after the draw, while Amelia’s Jewel is now $3 after opening at $2.80.
Star jockey James McDonald looks to have a tougher task navigating the way of Cascadian, who will jump from barrier 11 of 15 in the landmark event after losing $34 chance Last Of The Line.
Trainer James Cummings traveled to Perth on Monday night to watch Cascadian work and believes he has settled in well.
The Godolphin saddler expects not to be too much pace early in the race and hopes Cascadian finds a good place in the run.
“At least Cascadian will be able to run forward from a middle to outside draw,” Cummings told The Races WA.
“That’ll work out all right, provided he doesn’t go into too much of a breeze from about 1000 yards.
“It’s going to be a really good horse race, I think at weight-for-age to see a couple of three-year-olds there, the railroad winner and another east coaster in a horse like Steinem.”
The Neville Parnham-trained Bustler ($9) is the only other horse in single figures in the betting and has drawn barrier nine.
Railway Stakes winner Trix Of The Trade didn’t do so well after drawing the outside gate, moving from $11 to $13.
Victorian raider Steinem was favorable in barrier four, one inside well-backed Adam Durrant runner Treasured Star, which costs $26 in $15.
Originally published as Trainer Simon Miller happy with inside draw for Amelia’s Jewel in Group 1 Northerly Stakes