Star jockey Jamie Kah show rolls on to All-Star Mile at Caulfield, but not crack at another hometown Adelaide Cup

Trainer Mick Price cannot wait to reunite All-Star Mile contender Ayrton with jockey-of-the-moment Jamie Kah on Saturday at Caulfield.

Ayrton in full flight with Jamie Kah aboard. Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Jamie Kah is in her Big Stage Era.

A focus on quality – of life and competition – over quantity has Kah in an astonishing hot streak.

Kah has captured Melbourne racing imaginations, with three big time Group 1s winners in as many Saturdays.

None were favourites either, but equine athletes expertly prepared by respective trainers and handled by the now 12-time Group 1 winner.

For the record, a $10 Group 1 Kah treble – Hayasugi ($16, Blue Diamond Stakes), Southport Tycoon ($19, Australian Guineas) and Cylinder ($11, Newmarket Handicap) – could have returned $33,440.

Kah, chasing a second hometown Adelaide Cup on Monday, riding The Map, also has ambitions for another All-Star Mile on Saturday.

The 28-year-old is riding Ayrton, a personal favourite trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, in the $4m feature at Caulfield.

Atishu wins the TAB Blamey Stakes, winning at Flemington yet again. Great ride by Blake Shinn.

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— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) March 2, 2024

“Ayrton loves her, he sits there travelling like there’s no one on him,” Price said.

“I think if he draws a gate in the All-Star Mile he will show up (run well), obviously you got Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni banging away, I’m under no false illusions.

“But you can see for yourself how she’s going, she’s got that beautiful touch with thoroughbreds and they travel sweetly for her.”

Luckless Ayrton placed third last start in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m), hemmed away on the rail behind a wall of horses.

Ayrton is rated a $15 chance with TAB behind reigning All-Star Mile winner and champion Mr Brightside ($1.80), Pride Of Jenni ($3.50) and last year’s runner-up Cascadian ($11).

Kah piloted Zaaki to victory in the 2022 All-Star Mile.

She was in a critical condition in hospital last year when the All-Star Mile was run after being dislodged in a race fall a week earlier.

Ayrton ridden by Jamie Kah wins the John Dillon Stakes at Caulfield.

Kah faced an uncertain riding future and five months rehabilitation before a slow return to track and race riding in late July and August.

Price and Kent Jr supplied Kah with her first track rides and winner back in the saddle.

She battled for consistency early on the comeback trail but found a rhythm late in the spring, culminating in the most individual winners (six) in Melbourne Cup Carnival last November.

Kah has built the momentum through the summer and gone into overdrive the past month especially, with 11 winners from 50 rides including the three Group 1s and two Group 2s.

“After a long time out, and a head injury, all sports people don’t just go straight back to the top, do they?” Price said.

“We always had faith in her and confidence in her and horses love her, that’s the thing.”

Her three winners last Saturday were vintage rides, including Hedged for Price and Kent Jr, and most notably the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes and Group 1 Newmarket double.

“Fitness, muscle memory and reflexes, it takes time, she’s got her timing back and her confidence back,” Price said.

“It’s normal for her.”

Originally published as Star jockey Jamie Kah show rolls on to All-Star Mile at Caulfield, but not crack at another hometown Adelaide Cup