News

Jameka Crowns Maher The Oaks King

5th Nov 2015

Thunderstorms earlier in the day could not dampen the hopes for Jameka in the VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington and the favourite duly saluted, becoming the eighth Inglis graduate to win the Group 1 fillies Classic in the last 12 years.

Jameka (Myboycharlie x Mine Game) helped trainer Ciaron Maher to back-to-back wins in the Group 1 VRC Crown Oaks over 2500m at Flemington, equalling the deeds of Australian Hall Of Fame trainer John Hawkes following the win of Set Square in 2014.

The daughter of Myboycharlie jumped to the lead from the barriers but settled early in the race, and it was just the run she needed to take the lead again at the 500m and fend off a late challenge by Honesta to win by more than two lengths.

Prior to the race, Maher was confident that her dominant Group 2 MVRC Moonee Valley Vase win last month had ideally prepared the filly for Oaks victory, saying “We’ve really targeted the Oaks with her. With that run under her belt she’s just starting to peak at the right time.”

Maher’s sentiments were just as positive following today’s win, saying “She’s a special filly. She’s just a beautiful mover and very clean winded.”

Jockey Damien Oliver was very impressed with today’s performance, saying "I had a lot of faith in this filly's staying ability."

"She was going too easy a long way from home. I had to let her go!" Oliver added.

Bred by Gilgai Farm, Jameka was sold to her trainer for $130,000 at the 2014 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale before being syndicated to a large group of owners that include many Warrnambool locals, like the filly’s trainer, Mr Ciaron Maher, Halo Racing Services Pty Ltd, Mrs J M Mckenna, Mr D Degenhardt, Mr T A Cole-Sinclair, Mr M R Fallon, Mr G M Verdoorn, Mr S Priestley, Mrs S Cockram, Mr M V Mills and Ms J L Nolte.

To date, Jameka has won three and placed in five of nine career starts, and today burst past the $1 million mark with her earnings.

Jameka joins the ilk of fellow outstanding Inglis graduates to win the Group 1 VRC Crown Oaks including Mosheen, Faint Perfume, Samantha Miss, Arapaho Miss, Miss Finland, Serenade Rose and Hollow Bullet.

Earlier in the day another Gilgai Farm-bred Inglis Premier graduate, The Quarterback (Street Boss x Soorena) saluted on the same track in the Listed VRC Century Stakes over 1000m. After settling last, the gelding stormed down the outside to a beautiful ride by Matthew Allen, making light work of the heavy ground.

A $120,000 purchase for trainer Robbie Griffiths from the Makybe draft at the 2012 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, The Quaterback took his earnings past $500,000 from seven wins.