Hall sheds many kilos to make Jameka’s Caulfield Cup weight

Jockey Nick Hall is hoping for the ultimate reward with a win in the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday following a week of intense dieting.

Jockey Nick Hall, above, has been dieting hard to ride Jameka at 52.5kg in the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Jockey Nick Hall, above, has been dieting hard to ride Jameka at 52.5kg in the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Hall is well on the way to losing the 2.5kg he needed to get rid of to ride the favourite Jameka at her allocated weight of 52.5kg.

The Ciaron Maher trained Jameka found herself at the top of the Ladbrokes.com.au’s Caulfield Cup market order at $3.60 after some excellent Spring Carnival form that saw her earn 0.5kg penalty for winning the Group 3 $150,000 Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (Naturalism Stakes) (2000m) at Caulfield on September 17 followed by a second to Hartnell in the Group 1 $500,000 Yellowglen Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 2.

Hall has been aboard the My Boycharlie mare for her last two runs and has worked hard to get his weight down to the 52.5kg and as well as controlling his food intake, has also used yoga to control his mind.

“So far it’s been pretty easy, but it’s only Wednesday,” Hall told the Hearld Sun on Wednesday.

“Ask me Friday, might not get the same answer.’’

“It’s going to get tough, but the tougher it gets, the closer I get to the race, so there’s pretty fair motivation there.’’

“With the meditation I like to concentrate on my breathing; feel the breath through my nose into my lungs.’’

“My mind is very much ­involved.’’

“I’ve also been drinking heaps of water to flush the ­sodium out of my system.”

Hall is chasing his second Caulfield Cup win after collecting the trophy on the Robert Hichmott trained, Lloyd Williams owned Fawkner in 2013, and is confident that Jameka has the ability to get the job done.

“I’d say I’m at least as confident as I was with Fawkner,’’ Hall said.

“She’s a monster. That’s great for me. I like horses that are thick and strong, it gives you confidence in them.”

Jameka is a proven stayer of the Caulfield Cup journey and as well as running second in the Group 1 $2m Australian Derby and fourth in the Group 1 $1m Australian Oaks over the 2400m at Randwick during the Sydney Autumn Carnival as a three year old, she also won the Group 1 $1m Crown Oaks over 2500m at Flemington during the 2015 Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Jameka sits at the top of the Caulfield Cup market order at $3.60 at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of English stayer Scottish and the Darren Weir trained Real Love at $7.50 and German stayer Articus at $9.

Market order for the Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.60 Jameka, $7.50 Scottish, Real Love, $9 Articus, $12 Exospheric, Sir Isaac Newton, $15 Sir John Hawkwood, $18 Tally, $21 Sacred Master, $26 Preferment, Tarzino, Our Ivanhowe, $34 Set Square, $51 Pemberley, $61 Almoonqith, $67 De Little Engine, $71 Big Money, $81 Go Dreaming, $201 Vengeur Masque.

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.