Jameka Defeats Males in Caulfield Cup

Stout-hearted filly and favorite Jameka made a powerful and sustained rally down the stretch to win the Aus$3 million BMW Caulfield Cup (Aus-I) by three lengths over males Oct. 15, stamping herself as a horse to watch for the Melbourne Cup (Aus-I) next month. 

Trained by Ciaron Maher for a large partnership and ridden by Nick Hall, the 4-year-old daughter of Myboycharlie settled just behind the pace. She stalked the front-runners to the turn, was given her cue at the top of the stretch, and kicked away to the victory over Godolphin's British raider Scottish, with former British runner Exospheric (ex Exosphere) another three-quarters of a length away in third in his Australian debut.

Jameka joined Scottish at the 200-meter mark before drawing off and finished 2,400 meters in 2:28.88 on turf rated as good.

The TAB reacted strongly to Jameka's win, trimming her to $5 alongside favorite Hartnell at the head of Melbourne Cup wagering.

Saturday's win was Jameka's second at top level—she won the 2015 Crown Oaks (Aus-I)—and fifth win overall. She has earnings of more than $3.6 million, and a victory in the two-mile Melbourne Cup Nov. 1 would make her the fourth top- earning mare in Australasia behind Makybe Diva, Sunline, and Black Caviar.

"I think she's improved every start into this race," Maher said. "It's hard to say she'll improve again, but I'm happy to try the two miles now."

Jameka was an Aus$130,000 ($116,181) purchase for Ciaron Maher Racing from the Gilgai Farm consignment at the 2014 Inglis premier yearling sale. She was bred from the General Nediym mare Mine Game by Rick Jamieson of Gilgai Farm, who has also bred Australian great Black Caviar.