She was already assured a start in the Caulfield Cup, but Jameka stamped herself as a leading contender for the big race with a crushing win in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Here are our ratings for the 2016 Naturalism Stakes.
1. Gallante:
Finished: 2nd
Summary: Sat outside the speed most of the way and stuck to his guns really well. Looks set to be a force this Spring.
Rating: 8/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup
2. Almoonqith:
Finished: 14th
Summary: Sat wide with cover throughout, peeled out but gee he didn’t fire a shot. Jury is out on him for sure.
Rating: 1/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup
3. Excess Knowledge:
Finished: 5th
Summary: Was expecting more from him, but I think he can be forgiven due to the fact he was inside, which was the quicksand.
Rating: 4/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup
4. Real Love:
Finished: 7th
Summary: Had a soft trip on the fence and got to the right part of the track, but she just didn’t ping as well as expected.
Rating: 4/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup
5. Taiyoo:
Finished: 16th
Summary: Slotted into a nice spot but as soon as the pressure came, he folded.
Rating: 0/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup
6. Jameka:
Finished: 1st
Summary: Had the soft trip behind the speed, Hall cut the corner and away she went for a spank job of her rivals. Spot on for the Caulfield Cup.
Rating: 9/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup
7. Magnapal:
Finished: 5th
Summary: Sat wide most of the way, was off the bit a fair way out but kept coming on and was very good late.
Rating: 7/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup
8. Set Square:
Finished: 4th
Summary: Had a nice sit midfield before taking off 800m out. Didn’t have the turn of foot but stuck to the task very gamely. Borderline to get a Caulfield Cup start.
Rating: 8/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup
9. Tall Ship:
Finished: 13th
Summary: Was worse than midfield between runners, was off the bit a fair way out and disappointing over the concluding stages.
Rating: 1/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup
10. Berisha:
Finished: 3rd
Summary: Best Caulfield Cup trial by a distance IMO. Back near last in the run before saving ground early and then peeling out and letting down with real purpose.
Rating: 9/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup
11. Great Esteem:
Summary: SCR
12. Observational:
Finished: 9th
Summary: Got back to last in the run before pinching runs between runners and closing off well. Eye catcher and might be an ideal candidate for a race like the Geelong Cup.
Rating: 6/10
Spring Target: Geelong Cup/Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup
13. Tom Melbourne:
Finished: 6th
Summary: Jumped well to lead, rolled along at a good speed but he gave in meekly I thought. Wraps maybe a bit too much?
Rating: 4/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup
14. Swacadelic:
Finished: 12th
Summary: Had a suck run on the fence and didn’t really fire. Outclassed.
Rating: 2/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup
15. Gabella:
Finished: 14th
Summary: Worked a bit early but slotted into the 1/1, presented at the right time but dropped out. Maybe didn’t handle seven day back up.
Rating: 3/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup
16. Second Bullet:
Finished: 11th
Summary: Tracked up the move of Set Square and really just whacked away without threatening.
Rating: 2/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup
17. Zanteca:
Finished: 14th
Summary: Had a similar run to stablemate Tall Ship and tracked him up, but just didn’t quicken and was outclassed.
Rating: 0/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Cup/Lexus Stakes
18. Manndawi:
Summary: SCR
19. Master Zephyr:
Summary: SCR
20. The Bandit:
Summary: SCR
