Jameka gets half a kilo Cups penalty for Naturalism Stakes win

The Ciaron Maher trained Jameka has been given a 0.5kg penalty for both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup for her win in the Group 3 $150,000 Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (Naturalism Stakes) (2000m) at Caulfield last Saturday.

Naturalism Stakes winner Jameka, above, has been given a 0.5kg penalty for both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Naturalism Stakes winner Jameka, above, has been given a 0.5kg penalty for both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter announced the penalty on Monday after the 2015 Crown Oaks winner put a gap in her rivals with a three and three quarter lengths win over Gallante in the Naturalism Stakes.

Jameka will now carry 52kg in the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 15 and the same re-handicapped weight in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 1.

“Jameka was a decisive winner of the Naturalism Stakes, defeating last season’s Sydney Cup winner, Gallante by three and three quarter lengths,” Carpenter said.

“She carried 3kg less than Gallante on Saturday, and with the 0.5kg penalty she now has 1.5kg less than Gallante in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup.

“Historically speaking, Leilani (1974) and How Now (1976) are the only four-year-old mares to carry 52kg to victory in Caulfield Cup.

“As for the Melbourne Cup, Light Fingers (1965, 52.5kg) and Ethereal (2001, 52kg) are the only four-year-old mares to have won carrying 52kg or more.”

Jameka proved to be the dominant staying filly during the 2015 Melbourne Spring Carnival with wins in the Group 2 $200,000 Dilmah Exceptional Teas Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24 against the colts and geldings before beating the fillies in the Group 1 $1m Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 8.

The Myboycharlie mare was unable to find the winner’s stall during the Autumn Carnival this year but was placed twice at Group 1 level with a third to Tarzino in the $600,000 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill followed by a second to Tavago in the $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.

Jameka was then sent out as the $3.20 favourite for the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick but could only manage to finish fourth, one and a quarter lengths behind the Kiwi filly Sofia Rosa.

Jameka is currently on the second line of betting at $10 with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Caulfield Cup behind the John O’Shea trained Hartnell at $7 while in Melbourne Cup betting Jameka is marked as a $19 chance.

Early market order for the Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $7 Hartnell, $10 Jameka, $13 Exopshere (GB), Scottish, $15 Highland Reel, $17 Our Ivanhowe, Tarzino, The United States, $21 Articus, Hauraki, He’s Our Rokkii, Tavago, $26 Idaho, Preferment, Set Square, Sofia Rosa, Tosen Stardom.

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.