Exciting mare Commanding Jewel is set to return to the races in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Commanding Jewel will begin her 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in the Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
The four-year-old was one of twenty horses nominated for the event and managing part-owner Brad Spicer confirmed today that she would be a certain acceptor when the final field is released on Wednesday.
Commanding Jewel raced well fresh during her 2012 spring racing carnival campaign and Spicer told TVN this morning that he was confident the daughter of Commands would be a contender this weekend.
“She goes well at the Valley and 1000 metres first-up will not hurt her,” Spicer said.
“If they run along and things go to plan I’m sure she will be there somewhere.”
Commanding Jewel has not been seen at the races since her victory over Dear Demi and Zydeco in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield with a joint injury keeping her out of the 2013 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
The three-quarter-sister to wonder mare Atlantic Jewel began her racing career just over a year ago and recorded back-to-back wins at Swan Hill and Moonee Valley before being beaten as a short priced favourite in the Group 3 Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield (1400m) and the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m) at Flemington.
Commanding Jewel finally lived up to her potential with her win in the Thousand Guineas and connections are hopeful that she will make the step up to weight-for-age level during the spring with the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26 her ultimate target.
The four-year-old will face a number of experienced horses in the Carlyon Stakes on Saturday with Queensland sprinter Adebisi, Aurie’s Star Handicap winner Broken, resuming gelding Adamantium and veteran General Truce all included in the nominations.
Craig Williams will take the ride on the classy mare after Michael Rodd, who was penciled in for the ride, was suspended for careless riding at Geelong on Friday.
