Track a test for Jameka
CIARON Maher insists Jameka is “flying” and is confident she can turn the tables on Humidor in the $1.5 million The BMW on Saturday if the Rosehill track isn’t too wet.
Victorian trainer Maher described Jameka’s fighting second to Humidor in the Australian Cup ( 2000m) at Flemington this month as one of her best runs yet.
The last time she contested a race over 2400m, the distance of The BMW, she won the 2016 Caulfield Cup.
But Maher admits there’s one concern this weekend.
Rosehill was bottomless on Golden Slipper Day and rated a heavy nine yesterday.
Showers are predicted all this week and Maher is unsure how she will perform on a really testing track.
“(She won the Crown Oaks at her only run on a heavy track) but it was nothing like the weather you’ve had up there this year and it was a different heavy,” the Caulfield trainer said.
“That’s a big thing and I think on an even surface anywhere from good to slow she would be more than capable.
“Just on that real heavy (surface) it’s a bit unknown for her and she has never been on it.”
Jameka was three wide early in the Australian Cup before working forward to sit outside the leader.
She kicked clear in the early stages of the Flemington straight before Humidor finished over the top late.
Maher saw plenty of merit in the narrow defeat.
“She went about one second quicker early last start than she has gone before and she was beaten bugger all,” Maher said.
“It was probably one of her best runs and she is going super.”
Jameka is rated a $4.20 equal favourite with Humidor for The BMW but it’s Our Ivanhowe ($5) and Tavago ($5) Maher is most concerned about.
“They can obviously handle those conditions,” he said.