Barrier 8 for Jameka in 2017 Peter Young Stakes

Last year’s Caulfield Cup winner Jameka has drawn barrier eight in the eleven horse field for the Group 2 $200,000 Crown Lager Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Jameka, above, has drawn barrier eight in the Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Jameka, above, has drawn barrier eight in the Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Luke Nolen takes the ride again on the Ciaron Maher trained mare who produced an eye catching first up fourth to Black Heart Bart in the Group 1 $500,000 Ladbrokes C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 11.

Jameka is heading towards the Group 1 $1.5m Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 11 and Maher is happy with the four year old mare’s Autumn Carnival progress.

“I’ve been happy with her all along this campaign with the way she’s come into work and the progression that she’s made through and the idea is to have her 100 per cent third-up,” Maher told racing.com.

“If you look at her form nearly every preparation she’s had she improves with each run and that’s how I train her and at this stage she’s on track.”

Jameka will be facing come tough opposition in the Peter Young Stakes which will include the Darren Weir trained trio of Stratum Star, Real Love and Humidor.

Weir is also happy with his three runners heading into Saturday’s race with dual Group 1 winner Stratum Star drawing barrier three with Mark Zahra in the saddle, Humidor coming up with gate five for Damian Lane and Real Love to jump from ten with Brad Rawiller.

“He’s (Stratum Star) in good condition,” Weir told the Herald Sun.

“The other two, Real Love and Humidor, worked together this morning and did it in good style.”

Awesome Rock is also heading towards the Australian Cup and the Leon and Troy Corstens trained five year old will jump from gate four with regular rider Stephen Baster in the saddle again.

Tally ran an eye catching race first up at big odds for third in the Group 3 $150,000 The Resimax TS Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Caulfield on February 11 and will appreciate the step up in distance to 1800m and Craig Williams is  sure to give four year old every chance from barrier two.

Hong Kong’s super star Joao Moreira takes the ride on the Lee and Anthony Freedman trained Tom Melbourne (barrier 6) who will be looking for better luck this week after finishing sixth first up in the Carlyon Cup while The United States with Ben Melham aboard will jump from the inside gate in the Peter Young Stakes.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.