Western Jewel can revive a Caulfield Cup dream for prominent West Australian owner Bob Peters with a successful Mornington Cup raid.
The Perth Cup winner only needs to score at Mornington to be assured of a start in the Caulfield Cup which Peters came so close to winning 23 years ago.
Congressman, trained by the late George Hanlon, was beaten a length when second to outsider Imposera in 1989 and already Western Jewel is shaping as a quality stayer.
Craig Williams will ride Western Jewel in Wednesday’s Mornington Cup (2400m) with the winner exempt from the Caulfield Cup ballot.
The five-year-old daughter of Jeune has won eight of 28 starts and, with former English stayer Drunken Sailor carrying 60kg topweight, she looks well treated on 54.5kg in comparison to the other runners who all have 54kg.
Trainer Grant Williams said Western Jewel’s barrier 13 was a concern but he was confident Craig Williams would give her every chance.
“She drew wide in the Perth Cup and won that so hopefully she can do the same here,” Grant Williams said.
Western Jewel had 10 days off after winning the Perth Cup on New Year’s Eve and pleased the stable last start when second over 1600 metres at Ascot on February 4.
“We were pretty happy with that,” Williams said.
“She didn’t really lose too much fitness at all with those days off.”
Williams said he was hoping Craig Williams would stick with Western Jewel through the autumn for the Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2500m) at Flemington on March 3 and the Adelaide Cup (3200m) on March 12.
“It would be nice if we could keep him on and hopefully she runs well enough.”
Meanwhile stablemate Ranger, who arrived with Western Jewel in Melbourne last Tuesday, pulled up well after kicking off his Australian Cup campaign with a fifth to Manighar in Saturday’s Group Three Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Caulfield.
Ranger was having his first start since being placed in the Group One Kingston Town Classic and Group Two C B Cox Stakes in Perth last December, and after being checked early, made up ground pleasing the trainer.
“He probably peaked the last 100 metres or so but he hit the line OK,” Williams said.
“I think he will get a lot of benefit from that and now he can have time to settle in with a run under his belt.
Ranger, who is also owned by Peters, will have his next start in the weight-for-age St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 25 before the $1 million Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 10.
Peters won an Australian Cup 10 years ago when Old Comrade upset fellow West Australian, champion galloper Northerly.
AAP TURF
