Read the latest racing updates and information out of Western Australia for their race meetings on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022.
1 – Amelia’s Jewel
She’s a bone fide star who shone brightest in her biggest race. If any validation to her legitimacy was required she has a G1 to prove it. The daughter of Siyouni becomes the fourth filly behind Kay Cee (2019), Arcadia Queen (2018) and Perfect Reflection (2015) to win the coveted weight-for-age race. Her next campaign will be closely monitored and open to debate, but her primary target at this point appears to be the Golden Eagle in Sydney next year.
2 – Simon Miller
He consistently and steadfastly said throughout the week if he never won a G1 it wouldn’t worry him. He might have been genuine or is just a good actor, nevertheless you take him at his word, but it would have been a travesty if a trainer of his repute had gone through his career without ultimate success at the elite level. He got Amelia’s Jewel to peak in the WA Guineas and again two weeks later against older horses in the Northerly. The G1 monkey is off his back.
3 – Pat Carbery
The fickle nature of sport. Last week the diminutive dynamo was downcast and deflated over his ride on Miss Conteki in the Winterbottom Stakes. Seven days later he produces an absolute ripper on Amelia’s Jewel, angling her away from the fence at a critical time. It’s his second consecutive Northerly with Regal Power successful last year and his third overall after Pounamu won five years earlier. Champions always bounce back.
4 – James Mcdonald
Rated the world’s best jockey, McDonald was unable to claim the final G1 of the Australian year with Cascadian finishing fourth in the Northerly, but the superstar rider didn’t leave the west empty-handed, making an immediate impact in his Ascot debut when leading from start to finish on Street Parade, much to the joy of trainer, Russell Stewart.
5 – John Allen
The Victorian-based hoop was very popular with punters after Buzzoom, who met strong support late when backed from $5.50 to $4, relished being back at 1400m in the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic. The pre-race plan was to get on the back of William Pike and Real Grace and the 17-time G1 champion executed it perfectly.
6 – Home James
A family affair for the Parnham’s to launch week four of the Pinnacles carnival. Given a gem Brad Parnham ride after landing one-out, one-back from the widest gate (10), the promising Maurice gelding is prepared by Neville Parnham, who gifted the two-year-old to his mum as a present for her 90th birthday last week.
7 – Megazone
After going winless for close to three years, the seven-year-old has found a new lease of life with three wins from his past five outings including the past two in succession. Jockey Shaun O’Donnell had him placed behind the leader and ready to pounce before he held out perennial place getter Crescent City to win by a short neck. Patience and persistence is paying off for trainer, Ashley Maley.
