Star jockey Jamie Kah to get 2024 Melbourne Cup carnival party started with triple shot aboard Traffic Warden, Amelia’s Jewel and Goldrush Guru

Jamie Kah rode six winners during the Melbourne Cup Carnival last year, double her nearest rival, but missed out on the Group 1s. On Saturday, she can put that to rights when she’s legged aboard three top chances.

Launching the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington on Monday are (from left) trainer James Cummings, American singer Anastacia, Olympic gold medallist carnival ambassador Ariarne Titmus, Cup-winning jockey turned trainer Michelle Payne, Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse and star jockey Jamie Kah. Picture: Vince Caligiuri / Getty Image. Picture: Jason Edwards

Star jockey Jamie Kah has an opportunity to set the tone for her Melbourne Cup Carnival with important Group 1 rides on Saturday.

Kah will partner Goldrush Guru (Victoria Derby), Traffic Warden (Coolmore Stud Stakes) and Amelia’s Jewel (Empire Rose) in the main events at Flemington.

“I’m really happy to have three decent chances in three Group 1s this weekend,” Kah, a 14-time Group 1-winner, said at the Melbourne Cup Carnival launch on Monday at Flemington.

“I really want to add, at least, another five or 10 Group 1s to my record, starting Saturday.”

Traffic Warden is the $4 second favourite with Ladbrokes for the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Amelia’s Jewel is $6 to win the Empire Rose, while South Australian raider Goldrush Guru is rated a $15 chance in the Victoria Derby.

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Kah rode six winners during the Melbourne Cup Carnival last year, double her nearest rival, but missed out on the Group 1s.

“I’m going to go gallop Amelia’s Jewel (Tuesday) for Annabel (Neasham) – I think she’s putting blinkers on the horse, so I think the horse is ready to find one more Group 1,” Kah said.

“They’re all hard to win but she’s a very classy animal, I’ve got three good chances on Saturday.

“Traffic Warden was fantastic down the straight here Friday (jumpout), he behaved himself which was the important thing.”

Some star three-year-olds had a jumpout down the Flemington straight for next week’s Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Yoshinobu won the hitout ahead of Coleman. Other runners were Traffic Warden, Switzerland, Gatsby’s Daggers and Stanley Express.

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While Kah’s South Australian connection played “a deciding factor” to ride Goldrush Guru in the Victoria Derby, the three-year-old colt’s Listed Hill Stakes win warranted her attention.

“I get along really well with (trainer) Andrew Gluyas and I love riding Adelaide horses when I can but it’s win last start, the 1800m Listed race, was a really decent win,” Kah said.

“I’m really confident about riding him and when Andrew used to be with Leon (Macdonald) I used to ride for him a lot and they’re very good at getting stayers ready, that’s for sure.”

Kah on Monday gave a solid push for her new Melbourne Cup ride, in-form Moonee Valley Gold Cup winner Okita Soushi.

Kah committed to Point King, trained by reigning Cup winners Anthony and Sam Freedman, but the stayer was withdrawn last Saturday due to a minor setback.

A timely gallop on Okita Soushi last week, before Billy Egan rode the stayer to victory at The Valley, helped Kah lock in the Cup ride with confidence.

"Okita Soushi holding on and wins!"

Okita Soushi bolts in to win the Moonee Valley Gold Cup 🏆@cmaherracing's winning roll continues 😍 @TheBeeeganpic.twitter.com/eNkglKBkwH

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 25, 2024

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“He gave me a really nice feel, for a staying horse he actually feels like he’s got a really nice turn of foot,” Kah said.

“He’s quite sharp and Ciaron Maher, what better trainer to be riding for in the Cup.

“I did two laps Monday morning when I galloped him, he’s got this really good turn of foot, most staying horses you ride, they don’t give you a very sharp feel, they’re very one-paced.”

Former Irish import Okita Soushi, a $21 chance with Ladbrokes, placed 11th in the Cup last year, when trained by Joseph O’Brien.

The seven-year-old has clearly benefited from the 12 months in Melbourne to acclimatise to Australian conditions and training practices.

“There’s not many horses that come down from overseas and fire straight away,” Kah said.

“He’s taken time to acclimatise and now he’s finding form and hopefully he finds a bit more form on Melbourne Cup Day.”

Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa, trained by Maher, has also rediscovered his European form with 12 months under his belt in Australia.

Without A Fight won the Cup last year at his second attempt after running 10th in 2022.

Originally published as Star jockey Jamie Kah to get 2024 Melbourne Cup carnival party started with triple shot aboard Traffic Warden, Amelia’s Jewel and Goldrush Guru