Damian Lane suspected she would be fine, but Melbourne’s leading rider is now even more at ease with Amelia’s Jewel’s ability to handle The Valley after giving her a look at the circuit on Monday morning.
Lane partnered the Simon Miller-trained mare in her first look at the unique track ahead of her second-up run in Friday night’s $300,000 Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) at The Valley.
Amelia’s Jewel sat off her Nick Ryan-trained partner in a 1000m workout before quickly reeling in that galloper and peeling off an 11.6 seconds last 200m under light riding.
“She was good, she’s a little professional, so she handled things well and worked good,” Lane said.
“She got in front of her workmate pretty quickly, so she pricked her ears and had a look around, but overall she was pretty professional.”
Amelia’s Jewel is one of 15 nominations for the Stocks Stakes, which will be her second start of a preparation that kicked off with a brilliant win in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 16.
Miller reported that she had done well since that win but there was even more improvement to come beyond Friday night.
“She bounced out of the first-up run really good, she had a bit of puff after the race, so there’s plenty of improvement to come,” he said.
“Her coat’s not through yet, it’s getting there, but it’s not our Grand Final on Friday.”
Lane hopped aboard Amelia’s Jewel after reuniting with Uncommon James, his ride in Friday night’s Group 1 feature – the $750,000 Moir Stakes (1000m).
The Oakleigh Plate winner scooted over 800m in 52.61secs, zipping home the last 400m in 23.98secs.
“He’s come up well this preparation, he’s matured a little bit,” Lane said.
“He just seems a little bit more sensible – not that he wasn’t sensible, but he was always young in his mind and he was just a bit of a big kid – but I think now he’s getting better and hopefully we see an even better horse this preparation.
“He doesn’t have to find much to be up with the best of them, so we’re hoping he can take the next step.”
Uncommon James is one of 12 entries for the Moir Stakes, which is headlined by Imperatriz, who returns to the scene of her stunning Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) win on September 9.
