Ride up for grabs on Jameka in Caulfield Cup

Jameka

The re-handicapping of Jameka following her Naturalism Stakes win at Caulfield has opened the door for Nick Hall to ride the mare in the Caulfield Cup.

Racing Victoria handicapper Greg Carpenter penalised Jameka a half-kilogram on Monday, raising her weight to 52kg for next month’s 2400m handicap.

Hall rarely rides under 54kg but insists Jameka has the class to win the Caulfield Cup 2016 having ridden Fawkner to victory in 2013.

Trainer Ciaron Maher said the riding picture will become clearer after Jameka runs in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on October 2.

“The penalty just makes it a bit easier for whoever rides her,” Maher said.

“Nick rode her well the other day and she’s got 52 (kg) now so he might be a chance of doing it.

“It could depend on how they go in the Turnbull.”

Jameka is one of 58 horses that remain in contention for a start in the Cup on October 15 after second declarations closed on Tuesday.

Six of those are internationally trained including the Aidan O’Brien pair of Order Of St George and Highland Reel who are equal topweights with 58kg.

If the pair don’t start, weights will be raised 0.5kg.

Other internationals still in the Cup are Sir Issac Newton, another O’Brien-trained entrant, the Charlie Appleby-trained Scottish, Articus, trained by Andreas Wohler and Exosphere who will join Lee and Anthony Freedman when he arrives in Australia next week.

Notable withdrawals are last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance, stablemate Tosen Stardom and last year’s Caulfield Cup runner-up Trip To Paris.

Five internationals remain in contention for the Cox Plate on October 22 from a total second acceptance of 53 horses.

Invited horses Vadamoss and last year’s third placed Highland Reel remain, joined by Order Of St George, Scottish and Sir Issac Newton.

Last year’s winner Winx heads the local contenders which include Awesome Rock and Lucia Valentina as well as last year’s runners Hartnell, The Cleaner, Preferment and Happy Trails.

Golden Rose winner Astern is the notable absentee from the 48 three-year-olds still in the Caulfield Guineas on October 15 while there are 52 fillies remaining for the Thousand Guineas on the same day.

 

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au

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