Jameka Gears Up for 2016 Spring Cups Campaign

Last year’s Crown Oaks winning filly Jameka is gearing up for her spring campaign that will see the Ciaron Maher-trained stayer target the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup 2016.

Jameka targets the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup this spring for trainer Ciaron Maher. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

A rising four-year-old daughter of Myboycharlie, Jameka has won three of her 14 career starts to date, most notably taking out last November’s Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington Racecourse.

Her autumn campaign this year consisted of five runs, four of which were in Group 1 company and two producing top three runs against the boys.

Her third in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) behind Tarzino was followed by a second behind Tavago in Randwick’s Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m), a track and distance she returned to last start on April 9 when running a close fourth to the Kiwi-trained winner Sofia Rosa in the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m).

Maher is planning an ambitious Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival preparation for the proven young stayer who heads towards a run in the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 15 at her home track.

Jameka could also then tackle the ‘race that stops a nation’, Maher hoping to saddle-up just his second ever starter in the $6 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) over the two miles at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November.

Firstly Jameka is set to take on her 2014 Crown Oaks winning stablemate Set Square in the $200,000 Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) first-up at Caulfield on August 13.

The two worked together at the track on Tuesday morning impressing Maher who is looking forward to getting both of his star female stayers into the Caulfield Cup field.

“We’ve got her [Jameka] down to jump out at Caulfield next week,” he told Racing Victoria.

“She spelled very well and is in great condition, at this stage her action’s good and I’m very happy with where she is at the moment.

“She generally improves with each run through a preparation and hopefully she can do the same thing again but the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup are the targets at this stage.”

In futures Caulfield Cup betting led by the Chris Waller-trained Cox Plate winner Winx ($15), Jameka is a $21 shot while Set Square is further down the markets at $41.

All-in Melbourne Cup odds are currently dominated by the internationals including Ascot Gold Cup winner Order Of St George ($11), while Jameka ($41) and Set Square ($51) are at roughies’ prices to win the world’s richest handicap.

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