Jameka cruises home in Naturalism Stakes

Jockey Nick Hall insists Jameka has the credentials to win a Caulfield Cup after her explosive win in the Naturalism Stakes.

Hall, who won the 2013 Caulfield Cup on Fawkner, gave the Ciaron Maher-trained mare a perfect ride in Saturday’s Group Three race at Caulfield before taking advantage of an inside run on the home turn to record an effortless victory.

Despite easing in the betting from $5 to $6.50, Jameka raced away to a 3-3/4 length victory over Gallante ($51) with Berisha ($19) 1-1/4 lengths away third.

The win provided Jameka a guaranteed run in next month’s 2016 Caulfield Cup even though she was 17th in the ballot order.

She had her price slashed to $7 in Cup betting to share top billing with Hartnell after his win in the Hill Stakes at Randwick.

The mare can be penalised and Racing Victoria handicapper Greg Carpenter said he would announce that, if any, on Monday.

Hall said the mare was explosive when he asked her for an effort.

“For her to be so responsive underneath me at the 400 metres it’s what you want to see going towards a Caulfield Cup,” Hall said.

“I thought she wouldn’t be as responsive because she’s pretty relaxed in her trackwork, but to see a turn of foot like that is really exciting.

“She’s definitely a Cups campaigner.”

Saturday’s victory was Jameka’s first since the VRC Oaks at Flemington last spring and Maher was delighted at the return to form.

He said the impressive part about her win was the way she relaxed and used her free-flowing stride.

“As a two-year-old she surprised me and as a three-year-old she was pretty strong and competitive in whatever we put her in,” Maher said.

“As a four-year-old she’s more mature than the other four-year-olds that I’ve seen and she’s on track for the Caulfield Cup at this stage.”

Maher was also happy with the fourth-placed effort of Set Square who was trying gain an automatic start being equal 33rd in the ballot order.

Set Square was forced to cover ground while Jameka had a cosy run, a reversal from their performances in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 3.

“One got the favours and one didn’t today but there’s not much between them,” Maher said.

“I think Set Square has been fantastic. She’s a more mature mare and it wouldn’t surprise me what she could do this time around either.”