Classy filly Jameka has been a strong and consistent performer for trainer Ciaron Maher this season and has produced another impressive run to return to winning form in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) this afternoon.
Jameka savaged the line for second in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) a fortnight ago and did her chances of success in the Moonee Valley Vase absolutely no harm when jumping well and settling in prime position on the heels of early leaders Shards, Last Bullet and Red Alto past the post the first time.
Receiving a dream run in transit over the back straight and approaching the bend, champion hoop Damien Oliver remained patient on the daughter of Myboycharlie before peeling her off the fence rounding onto the final straight.
Allowing Shards a healthy start, Jameka mustered a huge turn of foot to meet the Godolphin runner at the fore of the field; kicking clear to post a career-best win to date.
Oliver delivered a typically brilliant performance aboard Jameka to win the Moonee Valley Fillies Classic and was quick to heap the praise on the class and maturity of the three-year-old.
“She’s been running really well this filly and we’ve always thought she’d like a trip,” Oliver said.
“She’s got a beautiful, big action and first time out to the 2000m really suited her.
“We had a lovely run, she just switched off beautifully for me and James (McDonald, Shards) really went for home coming to the turn and took some chasing down, but she was strong late.
“It was a bit of a staying test so I thought the leader might be a little suspect late and she was strong.”
Maher was thrilled with Jameka’s performance in taking out the Moonee Valley Vase and confirmed the 2015 Crown Oaks (2500m) with figure as her next point of call.
“We haven’t put a lot of emphasis on her early races and she ran really well,” Maher said after the race.
“She improved into the Guineas and she looked better again today and hopefully she’ll be peaking in a little over a week’s time.
“She’s just got that lovely long striding action and is very clean winded, so everything in that regard says she’ll stay but she’s probably bred more on the speed side.
“We’ve really targeted the Oaks with her, so great job by Ollie and the team at home, she seems to be coming together nicely.
“With that run under her belt and she looked quite fresh in the yard today so I think she’s just starting to peak at the right time.”
Jameka returned to racing this time for a commendable third in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m); progressing to third in the Group 2 Guineas Prelude (1400m) in her only other start prior to the Thousand Guineas.
