Damian Lane eager to see what boom mare Amelia’s Jewel can do during Melbourne spring

Damian Lane is excited about riding Amelia’s Jewel this spring after getting his first feel of the WA superstar in a Perth trial.

WA superstar Amelia’s Jewel will head to Melbourne for next week’s Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes.

Top jockey Damian Lane is excited to find out where boom West Australian mare Amelia’s Jewel fits in the Melbourne spring pecking order.

Lane was in Perth on Tuesday to get acquainted with the Simon Miller-trained Group 1 star in a trial ahead of her first campaign interstate.

Cox Plate-nominated Amelia’s Jewel will contest the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) first-up at Flemington on September 16.

“She’s obviously a good horse, a Group 1 winner and was narrowly beaten in The Quokka, I’m excited to get her here and see where she fits in,” Lane said on Wednesday at Sandown.

“I don’t think we’ll fully know (her potential) until we get her in a raceday environment against those better horses.”

Amelia's Jewel wins her final trial at Belmont this morning with @LaneDamian in the saddle 💎 pic.twitter.com/Q8LuEGnANb

— TABtouch (@TAB_touch) September 5, 2023

Amelia’s Jewel is rated a $15 chance in TAB’s all-in Cox Plate market.

Lane has enjoyed a fast start to the season, with 10 city winners in the first month back from his annual off-season riding stint in Japan.

“I’ve had great support since I’ve been back and got the ball rolling very quickly, I’m very happy with my start so far,” Lane said.

“Year on year I feel like my riding improves, maybe a couple of per cent, I’m always striving to be better.

“Cattle is a big part of it, you can’t win on slow horses but I’m getting some good opportunities at the moment and I like to think I’m making the most of them.”

Cox Plate-winner Lane has four rides on Saturday at The Valley including WA sprinter Acromantula in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m).

The Everest and dual Group 1 superstar Giga Kick firmed $2 into $1.90 with TAB on Wednesday after the seven-horse McEwen market opened.

Imperatriz ($3.90), Rothfire ($5) and Acromantula ($9) are the only runners in single figures.

Acromantula was never headed last start at The Valley, leading all the way to bank the 1000m Listed victory.

Damian Lane has made a fast start to the season with nine city winners. Picture: Vince Caligiuri-Getty Images

The WA sprinter will have company on Saturday with pacy Queenslanders Zoustyle and Rothfire to press forward also in a bid to unsettle Giga Kick.

“The dynamics are different but he’s going really well and taken a liking to Moonee Valley,” Lane said.

“He’s (Giga Kick) obviously the premier sprinter at the moment, him and I Wish I Win, so he’s going to be hard to beat but if he’s going to be vulnerable it might be first up 1000m around The Valley.”

Lane will ride Charm Stone, a $3.30 favourite, in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.

They combined to win the Group 3 Quezette Stakes last start at Caulfield.

“She’s a good talent, excited to get her back to the races again Saturday and see where she lines up after that,” Lane said.

“She could be a Group 1 sprinter the next couple of years hopefully, she’s pretty smart and hopefully she can live up to what I think of her.”

Originally published as Damian Lane eager to see what boom mare Amelia’s Jewel can do during Melbourne spring