Wet tracks cruelled Sydney autumn carnival aspirations for high-class filly Jamaea but trainers Luke and Robert Price are hoping to salvage something from her preparation.
The dual Group 2 winner indicated she was in for an exciting campaign when she resumed with a fast-finishing third behind Fangirl and Espiona in the Light Fingers Stakes in February.
But she struggled on heavy tracks at her subsequent outings, finishing out of the placings in the Surround Stakes and the Galaxy, prompting connections to pull the pin and send her to the paddock.
Then the weather again intervened.
“She had a week off and it literally started pouring again,” co-trainer Luke Price said.
“We thought there was no point leaving her out in the rain, they’re really struggling in the rain all the ‘spellers’, so she came back in.
“She is going to trial on Tuesday at Randwick and at this stage, she goes to Hawkesbury for the 1300 metre fillies and mares’ race (Hawkesbury Crown).
“If the rain comes back, she might go to Queensland for the Victory Stakes on the same day. I’m keeping my options open.”
Tommy Berry headed down to the Prices’ South Coast base earlier this month to give Jamaea a test run and Luke Price said the top jockey gave her “a big thumbs up”.
Berry will partner Jamaea in her trial on Tuesday, ahead of the Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown on April 30.
The Prices’ almost celebrated a win on the final day of the Sydney autumn carnival with Count De Rupee, who hit the front in the Hall Mark Stakes only to be nabbed on the line by a late-charging Kementari.
