A VRC Sires' Produce Stakes winner at two, a VRC Oaks winner at three, and now as a 4-year-old the winner of Saturday's $3 million Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m), the Ciaron Maher-trained mare Jameka can rightly take her place among the most versatile mares of recent times.
And the best may be to come. Such was the authority of the win the daughter of Myboycharlie (IRE) must be a leading chance for further spring riches as she still holds nominations for next Saturday's $3 million Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley and the $6 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Sent off a heavily backed favourite under Nicholas Hall, Jameka was one of
Given a positive ride by Hall from a wide barrier, Jameka was always in a striking position.
The Charlie Appleby-trained English raider Scottish (Teofilo) was caught wide for a good deal of the running before Kerrin McEvoy allowed him to take up the running.
Then Aidan O'Brien's Sir Isaac Newton, who refused to settle for Colm O'Donoghue, was allowed to stride outside the leader.
The increased tempo allowed Jameka to settle back in fourth place and when Hall pressed the button he found an immediate response.
While Sir Isaac Newton began to weaken after a torrid run, Scottish was fighting on admirably but had no answer to Jameka who cleared away with Hall standing tall in the irons to win by three lengths from Scottish with Exospheric (GB) three-quarters of a length back in third. (photos Grant Courtney)
It was a second win in the Caulfield Cup for Hall following Fawkner three years ago.
I thought we'd be
"I thought there was a lot of dead weight for a Caulfield Cup and the decision was made for us with that draw that we had to go forward and we were going to be out of the crap there."
"I have to really thank Ciaron Maher and the stable, he's done an exceptional job. The way he's prepped this run by run, it's been to win this race and he's done it.
Ciaron Maher said he was keen to press on to the Melbourne Cup.
"I was pretty confident on the turn. I couldn't see any other horses but the way she was travelling for a 2400m horse, I had plenty in my hands at the 500.
"It was just fantastic. It's one of the big three and we're thrilled.
"She's a rare horse. I think she's an extraordinary horse, I think she proved that today."
In earning her second win at the highest level, Jameka advances her record to 5 wins, 4 seconds and 4 thirds from 19 starts with earnings of $3,670,725
Bred by Rick Jamieson, Jameka was a $130,000 Inglis Premier purchase by her trainer from the draft of Gilgai Farm.
A half-sister to Magic Millions 2yo Classic runner-up Nikitas (Snitzel), Jameka was the second most expensive yearling for Myboycharlie in 2014.
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 but missed last spring to both Snitzel and Redoute's Choice.
Jameka is one of three Group I winners sired by Vinery Stud shuttler Myboycharlie (IRE) (photo Mark Smith ) who is standing the current season at a fee of $11,000.
