News

Jameka annihilates Caulfield Cup field

15th Oct 2016

Mighty mare Jameka has surged into equal Melbourne Cup favouritism following her dominant win in today’s $3million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Trained by Ciaron Maher and ridden by Nick Hall, Jameka (Myboycharlie x Mine Game) settled just behind the speed and when asked for a performance at the top of the straight, let down like the star she is.

She gave her rivals no hope, beating British raider Scottish by three lengths, with Exospheric a further three-quarters-of-a-length back in third.

In doing so, Jameka became the third Inglis graduate in the past four years to win the Caulfield Cup after Mongolian Khan (2015) and Fawkner (2013).

The TAB reacted strongly to Jameka’s win, trimming her to $5 – alongside Hartnell – at the top of Melbourne Cup betting.

She is unlikely to have another run before the Melbourne Cup.

The win was Maher’s first of a Big Three – the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup – and he struggled to contain his excitement after the race.

“Wow. It was the perfect ride, Nick stayed very cool, it’s one of the Big Three, we’re just thrilled,’’ Maher said.

“She’s such a competitive horse. I didn’t want to get too excited but about the 100m I thought ‘well we’re kicking into gear now’.’’

Jameka was a $130,000 purchase for Ciaron Maher Racing from the Gilgai Farm draft at the 2014 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Today’s win was her second at Group 1 level and fifth win overall and took her career earnings to over $3.4million.

A Melbourne Cup victory in 17 days’ time would make Jameka the fourth-greatest ever earning mare in Australasia behind Makybe Diva, Sunline and Black Caviar.

Jameka was bred by Rick Jamieson of Gilgai Farm, who has also bred and sold Black Caviar and All Too Hard through Inglis sales.

Winning jockey Nick Hall, who battled all week to get down to 52.5kg to ride Jameka, was understandably thrilled post-race and full of praise for Maher.

“He’s done an exceptional job and he’s such a great trainer of campaign horses,’’ Hall said.

“The way he’s prepped this, run by run, has been to win this race and he’s won it.’’

JAMEKA (Myboycharlie x Mine Game) Sale: 2014 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale Sale price: $130,000 Vendor: Gilgai Farm Buyer: Ciaron Maher Racing Breeder: Rick Jamieson, Gilgai Farm Group 1 win: Caulfield Cup Trainer: Ciaron Maher Owners: CL Maher, Mrs JM McKenna, D Degenhardt, TA Cole-Sinclair, MR Fallon, GM Verdoorn, S Priestly & Mrs SA Cockram, Ms J Nolte, M Mills & Halo Racing Services Pty Ltd (Mgr: CB McKenna)