West Australian trainer Simon Miller is no stranger to Melbourne racing.
After cutting his teeth in Victoria with a number of stables, Miller moved to Perth 15 years ago to begin his training career and is now one of the leading conditioners.
Miller has been back to Melbourne on occasions with the odd runner or two, but he is especially looking forward to Flemington on Saturday where he has Amelia’s Jewel running in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m).
“We’ve been lucky,” Miller said.
“We’ve travelled over some nice horses previously that have held their own, but this is by far the most exciting journey because she’s just freakish.”
Amelia’s Jewel had her first look at the Flemington course proper on Tuesday, galloping with a partner.
Miller said Amelia’s Jewel was deceptive as the mare appeared to float through the work, but the clock told a vastly different story.
“It looked like she was in reverse up the straight and she floated around the corner,” Miller said.
“She had a look at the stand, quickened up but then in the last 200 (metres) she went in reverse mode because she dropped off her partner.
“Initially I thought she had not done enough, but then you look at the sectionals, she could not have worked any better.
“It was very deceiving. She works quick and makes it look slow and then recovers twice as quick.
“She came in with a low heart rate, so she’s ready enough for her first assignment at 1400 metres.”
Miller said the first two eastern seaboard runs for Amelia’s Jewel had been locked before a decision was made on whether she stays in Melbourne or heads to Sydney.
The Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 29 is on the agenda following Saturday’s outing before a decision is made on whether to go to the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield and then onto the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley or to head to Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick and The Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
“I’ve still got lots of wriggle room. I’ve haven’t properly screwed her down yet,” Miller said.
“Her grand final is fourth run in, but she’s forward enough to win on Saturday and I’ve still got room for improvement with her coat as well.”
Damian Lane takes over from Patrick Carbery on Amelia’s Jewel’s, having ridden the mare in her nine starts to date, for seven wins.
Lane rode the mare in a trial win at Belmont last week.
“He wanted to have a feel because he couldn’t come and do her final piece of work,” Miller said.
“He’s pretty casual and she’s pretty casual, so I think the two of them paired up well in the trial.
“He was worried that he didn’t do enough on her. He was expecting her to let rip and charge, but she only does whatever you want her to do.
“Her versatility is all confusing from a training point of view. I’d love to know what her pet distance is, because then I could home in and play to her strengths.
“She nearly won a Quokka while at her previous prep she won a Group 1 at 1800 metres.
“She’s remarkable.”
