Talented Kiwi filly Exquisite Jewel has been included in the 2015 The Roses field and will make her Australian racing debut in the Group 2 event at Doomben on Saturday.
Jim Byrne has been booked to ride Exquisite Jewel in the 2015 The Roses at Doomben this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Exquisite Jewel stamped herself as a filly to watch when she finished third in the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on January 24 and she went on to finished a credible fourth in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at the same venue on March 14 before she took out the Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni on March 28 and finished second behind Werther in the Group 2 Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie on April 18.
Werther has gone on to finished second behind the talented Delicacy in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville and trainer Sue Walsh believes that the form around Exquisite Jewel is fairly strong heading into The Roses this weekend.
“Her last two starts she’s run the quinella with Werther, us beating him at Awapuni and then him turning the tables at Ellerslie,” Walsh told The New Zealand Racing Desk.
Werther’s form has been strong in Australia so that’s encouraging,” Walsh said.
“It’s hard to gauge our form against the Aussies because you just don’t know till you race.
“She’s got good form around Platinum Witness as well and we think we’ll both be right up there with them.”
Exquisite Jewel arrived in New Zealand on Sunday, but Walsh does not plan on giving the three-year-old a testing gallop heading into The Roses – despite the fact that the Lucky Unicorn filly has not had a race start in over a month.
Walsh believes that Exquisite Jewel is fit enough to run well in The Roses, but feels that the promising stayer will take some benefit out of the run as she heads towards the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben next weekend.
“She was ready when she left,” Walsh said.
“She travelled well and she’s settled in as good as gold.
“This race will give her a look around Doomben before the Oaks.
“She’s done really well since her last run, but it will be five weeks between races so whatever she does on Saturday she’ll improve on for the Oaks.”
Exquisite Jewel is currently available at 2015 The Roses odds of $9 with Ladbrokes and she is on the fourth line of betting behind Ballet Suite ($2.60), Platinum Witness ($3.70) and Bohemian Lily ($7).
