Simon Miller looking forward to Amelia’s Jewel's east coast debut

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 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.”
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...









