Amelia’s Jewel ready to sparkle in G1 Toorak Handicap
Star mare was given a trip across town from her Flemington base for a look at Caulfield ahead of the Toorak Handicap.
Saturday’s Group 1 handicap over 1600m is the race that will determine whether Amelia’s Jewel stays in Melbourne to run in the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 28 or heads to the Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill the following week.
“My head’s Golden Eagle my heart’s Cox Plate,” trainer Simon Miller said.
“The Golden Eagle is her age group, it’s $10 million, set weights and it’s in her wheelhouse as a distance.
“She has to go to 2040 metres, 200 metres further than she’s been for the Cox Plate, so ‘Frosty’ (jockey Damian Lane) will help us.
“She was strong at 1800 metres in the Northerly (last December), so that gives me confidence.”
Beaten just twice in her 11-start career, Amelia’s Jewel will be having her third Melbourne start in the Toorak Handicap.
After coming from back in the field to win first-up at Flemington, Amelia’s Jewel broke the track record to win the Stocks Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 29.
Lane had Amelia’s Jewel positioned in second place in the run that night which Miller conceded was the difference between winning and losing.
“She probably gets rolled if we go back and she may have had a harder run because she would have been chasing from a long way out,” Miller said.
Miller allowed Amelia’s Jewel time to recover from the win and only last Saturday decided it was time to again build the work.
“Siobhan (O’Donnell, strapper) rang on Friday and said we need to wind her up again because we might be in a bit of trouble,” Miller said.
“I gave her a nice piece of work on Saturday which took the edge off her and today was just perfect.
“She’s so easy to peak. Whatever you want to set her for, you can.
“We know how to read her now. We’ve got a really good handle on her.
“If everything pans out and we get a fair crack at them, we should be there.”
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...