It seems the mighty mare Jameka is fighting a lone hand in turning back the tide of imports in Australia's best staying races.
A VRC Sires' Produce Stakes winner at two, a VRC Oaks winner at three, and winner of the $3 million Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup at four, the Ciaron Maher-trained mare earned a third win at the highest level in Saturday's 1.5 million Group I BMW Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens.
With Lasqueti Spirit out on her own in her normal front-running style, Jameka travelled well within herself in second place.
With little urging from Hugh Bowman, Jameka had Lasqueti Spirit's measure before the home turn and it was a matter who could mount a challenge from the back.
None could. The further they went the further Jameka went away and by the time the judge called a halt, the daughter of Myboycharlie had six and a half-length margin on the Darren Weir-trained Humidor (Teofilo) with another one and three-quarter length back to Lee and Anthony Freedman's Exospheric (GB) (Beat Hollow) in third.
Winning trainer Ciaron Maher said he would consider dropping the mare back in distance to tackle the unstoppable Winx in the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick in a fortnight. A second option is the $HK 20 million QE II Stakes (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 30.
"It's a great conundrum to have," Maher said. "I mightn't get the same rider I'd think but we'll let the dust settle and see how she pulls up.
"It's a credit to the team. It's a great group of owners, long-time supporters.
"It was one of her target races and just wrapped to get it done. Beautiful ride by Hughie."
Another success story for Gilgai Farm's Rick Jamieson, Jameka advances her record to 6 wins, 5 seconds and 4 thirds from 24 starts with earnings of $4,872,925.
A $130,000 Inglis Premier purchase by her trainer, Jameka is a half-sister to Magic Millions 2yo Classic runner-up Nikitas (Snitzel).
She is one of three winners from as many foals to reach the track for General Nediym mare Mine Game, a winning half-sister to Group I STC Canterbury Guineas winner Jymcarew.
Not served in 2013, Mine Game has a yearling filly by Shamus Award. She missed to both Snitzel and Redoute's Choice in 2015 and made at second visit to Myboycharlie (IRE) at Vinery Stud last spring.
