New prep, new tactics from a rapid fire decision, back to old results – there’s the story of Amelia’s Jewel’s long awaited return to winning form in the Group II Proven Thoroughbreds Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
THE RACE
Amelia’s Jewel hadn’t won for ten starts. September 2023 was the last time, having earlier won nine of her first 11 starts as the darling of Western Australian racing.
But she hadn’t led a field. Ever.
Today was that day, totally unplanned as it was.
James McDonald flew the gates and made the snap decision to press on, taking the advantage to cross and lead, and comfortably enough for her opposition to be facing a forlorn battle once she straightened and extended.
The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald trained daughter of Siyouni ultimately sustained the gallop too well to beat Ausbred Flirt (Maurice) by 1.4 lengths with Tashi (Sebring) third.
The win takes her record to 10 wins and seven seconds from 22 starts with earnings of $4,093,800.
THE QUOTES
Rob Archibald (Co-trainer):
“Really impressive return to the races.”
“She’d put the writing on the wall at the trials.”
“Great ride by James, he summed it up very quickly.”
Annabel Neasham (Co-trainer):
“James said ‘what are we doing?’ – I said ‘we’ll leave it up to you’”
“Just a great example of James riding the horse rather the race.”
THE BREEDING
A daughter of Haras de Bonneval's champion stallion Siyouni (FR), Amelia's Jewel is the first foal of the stakes placed Canford Cliffs mare Bumbasina (IRE), who was a 75,000 guineas purchase for Louis Le Metayer's Astute Bloodstock at the 2019 Tattersalls July Sale.
A half-sister to Group II winner Epona Plays (Australia) and Group III winner Dolce Strega (Zoffany), Bumbasina (IRE) has also left this year’s Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner Busustow (Blue Point), also trained by Neasham and Archibald.
Her yearling this year, a full brother to Amelia’s Jewel bred on southern hemisphere time, made $625,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast to Luke Fernie from Segenhoe Stud.
She foaled a filly by Siyouni to southern hemisphere last season and was served by Zoustar.
THE FUTURE
Amelia’s Jewel was just too good for these.
Whether leading, or on pace, is her thing or not remains to be seen but it worked today.
