Perth trainer Simon Miller holds no fears about his star mare Amelia’s Jewel handling Moonee Valley.
Amelia’s Jewel runs in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) on Friday night as a potential lead-up to the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) on October 28.
Miller gave Amelia’s Jewel a look at The Valley on Monday morning with race jockey Damian Lane aboard and said the mare handled it without any problems.
“I know race day pressure is totally different, but she was good and Frosty (Lane) gave a good report on her when he got off,” Miller said.
“He said she quickened up nice and recovered well and handled the track.
“Good horses get around The Valley. Ascot is pretty tight at home. We’ve got a short straight and she can rip up there pretty quick.
“So, I think she’ll be fine. She can adapt and adjust, and her brain is her best asset.”
A bigger field than anticipated accepted for Friday night’s race with Amelia’s Jewel pitted against nine rivals after the early scratching of Toregene.
Amelia’s Jewel has drawn the second outside gate and Miller is hoping for a strong pace, which could be on the cards with Deny Knowledge engaged.
“Her greatest asset, and she hasn’t been afforded it in too many races, is a high-pressure race,” Miller said.
“When that luxury is there, she absorbs the pressure, then quickens, so that’s her asset.
“Lately, they have been sitting up and walking, but luckily, she has a good enough turn of foot to get them, but it’s not her forte.”
Friday night’s outing will go a long way to determining where Amelia’s Jewel next heads.
Options are the Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield, the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Randwick, followed by either the Golden Eagle at Rosehill, or the Cox Plate.
“The safe bet after Friday night is the Toorak and then you can go either to the Golden Eagle or the Cox Plate, but if you go for the King Charles, you probably stay for the Golden Eagle,” Miller said.
“We’ll get through Friday night first and then plan our next move.”
