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Excitement is building at the Simon Miller stable as superstar filly Amelia’s Jewel ramps up her preparation for The Pinnacles at Ascot.
Rated one of the most exciting horses in Australia, Amelia’s Jewel gained national attention with three breathtaking wins from as many starts last autumn.
She won the Supremacy Stakes (1000m), Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) and Karrakatta Plate (1200m) by more than seven lengths combined.
And in an ominous warning to her Ascot carnival rivals, Miller said the daughter of Siyouni had benefitted from a spell as she starts her path towards the $1.5 million Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m).
“She’s stronger,” Miller said.
“I wouldn’t say she’s shot up drastically, but she’s definitely stronger.
“She starts galloping this week and she’ll trial on September 19 or 26, depending on fitness.
“The Northerly is the aim. She’s bred to get a mile, but we’ll get a better picture from the Burgess Queen Stakes and the Champion Fillies or WA Guineas.”
Miller said Amelia’s Jewel will resume in the $100,000 3YO Classic (1000m) on October 8 or the Belgravia Stakes (1200m) a fortnight later.
Meanwhile, former jockey Takahide Ikenushi celebrated his first win as a trainer when Vane Tempest broke through at Belmont Park on Saturday.
Born in Japan, Ikenushi rode more than 450 winners in Queensland and WA.
In more recent years, he turned his focus to helping his partner Paige Kenney train gallopers at their Hopeland stable.
“They’re in my name now but Paige and I still run the stable together,” Ikenushi said.
“We’ve got about eight-to-10 in work and we’re doing some pre-training as well.
“Vane Tempest was doing a good job without any luck.
“She finally got a nice barrier and won well. She might go to the fillies and mares’ series at Ascot.”
