New Prep - New Tactics - Old Results for Amelia's Jewel

Craig Tompson - Saturday March 1

New prep, new tactics from a rapid fire decision, back to old results – there’s the story of Amelia’s Jewel’s long awaited return to winning form in the Group II Proven Thoroughbreds Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Amelia's Jewel wins the G2 Proven Thoroughbreds Guy Walter Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au

THE RACE

Amelia’s Jewel hadn’t won for ten starts. September 2023 was the last time, having earlier won nine of her first 11 starts as the darling of Western Australian racing.

But she hadn’t led a field. Ever.

Today was that day, totally unplanned as it was.

Advertisement

James McDonald flew the gates and made the snap decision to press on, taking the advantage to cross and lead, and comfortably enough for her opposition to be facing a forlorn battle once she straightened and extended.

The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald trained daughter of Siyouni ultimately sustained the gallop too well to beat Ausbred Flirt (Maurice) by 1.4 lengths with Tashi (Sebring) third.

The win takes her record to 10 wins and seven seconds from 22 starts with earnings of $4,093,800.

THE QUOTES

Rob Archibald (Co-trainer):

“Really impressive return to the races.”

“She’d put the writing on the wall at the trials.”

“Great ride by James, he summed it up very quickly.”

Annabel Neasham (Co-trainer):

“James said ‘what are we doing?’ – I said ‘we’ll leave it up to you’”

“Just a great example of James riding the horse rather the race.”

THE BREEDING

A daughter of Haras de Bonneval's champion stallion Siyouni (FR), Amelia's Jewel is the first foal of the stakes placed Canford Cliffs mare Bumbasina (IRE), who was a 75,000 guineas purchase for Louis Le Metayer's Astute Bloodstock at the 2019 Tattersalls July Sale.

A half-sister to Group II winner Epona Plays (Australia) and Group III winner Dolce Strega (Zoffany), Bumbasina (IRE) has also left this year’s Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner Busustow (Blue Point), also trained by Neasham and Archibald.

Her yearling this year, a full brother to Amelia’s Jewel bred on southern hemisphere time, made $625,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast to Luke Fernie from Segenhoe Stud.

She foaled a filly by Siyouni to southern hemisphere last season and was served by Zoustar.

THE FUTURE

Amelia’s Jewel was just too good for these.

Whether leading, or on pace, is her thing or not remains to be seen but it worked today.

Advertisment

Race Result - Proven Thoroughbreds Guy Walter Stakes Gr2 1400m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 1:23.47
1
Amelia's Jewel
- 5m Siyouni (FR) x Bumbasina (IRE) (Canford Cliffs (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
2
1.4
Ausbred Flirt
- 6m Maurice (JPN) x Seven Year Itch (AUS) (Keltrice (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: Tyler Schiller 54
3
2.1
Tashi
- 5m Sebring (AUS) x Ghenwaa (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Peter Snowden Rdr: Tom Sherry 54
Sebring
4
2.5
Olentia
- 5m Zoustar (AUS) x Mabkhara (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J R Collett 56
5
2.6
Our Gold Hope
- 4m Lope De Vega (IRE) x Grey Queen (USA) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: R & L Price Rdr: Ashley Morgan 54
6
2.6
Sounds Of Heaven
- 5m Kingman (GB) x Ring The Bell (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: Reece Jones 54
7
2.9
French Endeavour
- 4m Rubick (AUS) x French News (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Tim Clark 54.5
8
4.1
Dark Glitter
- 4m Spieth (NZ) x Berning Affair (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: M F Van Gestel Rdr: A B Collett 54
9
4.2
Alsephina
- 6m Star Turn (AUS) x Delta Gee (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: G & A Williams Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56
More Reading...
G1 Spring Ahead As Angel Capital Remains Unbeaten First Up
A winner of the Listed McKenzie Stakes on this day last year, outstanding Harry Angel 4yo Angel Capital remained unbeaten first-up, winning the Listed MVRC Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) in dominant fashion.
Hometown Heroine Amelia's Jewel Triumphs in Northerly Stakes
Given a gem of a ride by Pat Carbery, local heroine Amelia’s Jewel turned back the eastern state challenge in the $1,500,000 Group 1 Drummond Golf Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot on Saturday.
El Roca Filly Wins G3 Gold Trail
Lollapalooza went into Saturday’s Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie as a maiden, but she came out of it as one of the leaders of her generation and the clear favourite for the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).
Exciting Stakes-Winner for Yes Yes Yes
Relocated to Gooree Park Stud this year, Everest hero Yes Yes Yes produced an exciting stakes-winner in New Zealand on Saturday with promising three year-old Affirmative Action taking out the $100,000 Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at his second race start.
Extremely Good Filly Wins G2 Furious for Myracehorse
There has always been a big boom on Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic following her flashing second on debut last December and we finally saw her back at the races at Randwick on Saturday and it proved well worth the wait!
$750,000 Deep Field Colt a SW on Debut
Nearly all of the good colts and geldings by now pensioned sire Deep Field find their way to Hong Kong, but astute trainer Clinton McDonald was determined to keep Rosberg paying $750,000 for the colt at the Inglis Ready 2Race Sale last year and he was rewarded at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Amelia's Jewel Brilliant in Let's Elope
On a champagne day's racing, the spotlight shone brightly on West Australian superstar Amelia's Jewel at her eastern states debut in the Group II Furphy Let's Elope Stakes (1400m), and she let no one down.
Front Runner Lindermann Wins Chelmsford Stakes
Capitalising on his outstanding second up form, Chris Waller’s Group 1-winning Lonhro gelding Lindermann held on to win the Group 2 ATC Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Catch Me If You Can Tactics Sees Changingoftheguard Break Aussie Duck
Having not won since June 2024 at Group 2 level at Ascot, a front running ride by James McDonald aboard the Kris Lees trained Changingoftheguard (IRE) saw the son of Galileo win the $200,000 Listed ATC City Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m).
Amelia's Jewel All Class in Stocks Stakes
Given a positive ride by Damian Lane, Amelia's Jewel needed a track record-breaking performance to capture Friday night's Group II Ladbrokes Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley.