Amelia’s Jewel connections pondering switch to new $5m King Charles III Stakes

The new $5m King Charles III Stakes in Sydney has given the connections of star WA filly Amelia’s Jewel something to think about.

Perth star Amelia’s Jewel could race in the new $5m King Charles III Stakes instead of the Toorak Handicap this spring.

Simon Miller says there are now $5m reasons to race his star filly Amelia’s Jewel in the new King Charles III Stakes during the mega-rich Sydney spring carnival, rather than a Melbourne race on the same day.

The Perth trainer admits he is gobsmacked by the “insane” prizemoney up for grabs in Sydney, including the inaugural $5m King Charles III Stakes (1600m) which will be staged on The Everest day on October 14.

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Miller still plans to kick off his Group 1 winner in Melbourne, in the Let’s Elope Stakes, but had been planning for a tilt at the $1m Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.

But the Toorak is on the same day as the rich new Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (formerly known as the George Main Stakes) and Miller admits he is now tempted to head to Sydney.

The Queen of Australian racing (Amelia’s Jewel) could become King.

“There are $5m reasons why we would have a good look at it (the King Charles III Stakes),” Miller told Racenet.

“It’s just insane money and it’s an intriguing race now.

“She will race in Melbourne first but then she could maybe run in the new race in Sydney and we might just move her up there (to Sydney).

“We can’t go between states too many times, seeing as she will already be away from home.

“I will sit down and have a chat to the owner (Peter Walsh) and see what he is thinking.

“With the money on offer (in Sydney), we have to have this discussion.”

Owner of Amelia’s Jewel Peter Walsh (left) with trainer Simon Miller (right).

The Toorak Handicap had been set to be the fork in the road race for Amelia’s Jewel, potentially deciding whether she would race in the $10m Golden Eagle in Sydney or the $5m Group 1 Cox Plate in Melbourne.

The Golden Eagle is the current favourite but plans could yet change.

“Frosty (jockey Damian Lane) can help us sort out whether we race in the Golden Eagle or switch to a Cox Plate,” Miller said.

“The Golden Eagle is probably a no-brainer because it’s in your own age group, you only get one crack at it and you know the distance suits.

“But if you go to a Cox Plate and she happened to get the job done, it is less prizemoney, but she is then a Cox Plate winner so what does that do for her residual value?

“Walshy owns the broodmare, so what does that do for all the offspring?

“If we happened to nail the Cox Plate, there is more money to be made through the broodmare ranks.”

Amelia’s Jewel, the brilliant winner of the Group 1 Northerly Stakes in Perth last December, was last seen racing in the $4m The Quokka in her home state in April.

She surged home to finish a narrow second to Overpass in a 1200m dash where Amelia’s Jewel’s chances were hurt by drawing the widest barrier 14.

“She has come back stronger after spelling really well,” Miller said.

“She will have two trials in WA and then we will bring her over east.”

Originally published as Amelia’s Jewel connections pondering switch to new $5m King Charles III Stakes