Annabel Neasham’s Amelia’s Jewel preparing for big spring season

Amelia’s Jewel is on the path for a return this spring after taking part in a trial run at Warwick Farm on Tuesday. The five-year-old mare has been out of action since May after finishing 12th in the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) in Adelaide.  
 
After that poor run, Amelia’s Jewel moved from trainer Simon Miller to rising star Annabel Neasham. The mare could make her return next month in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. 

Amelia’s Jewel impresses in trial run 

Amelia’s Jewel took to the track for the first time more than three months on Tuesday. The five-year-old mare took part in a 900m trial run at Warwick Farm.  
 
The trial was far from the Group 1 races Amelia’s Jewel longs for, but it was an impressive run for the mare. She finished second, behind winner Ducasse and Tiz Invincible in third place.  
 
New jockey Tommy Berry said the race was a good starting point for Amelia’s Jewel after such a long time off.  
 
“It was pretty much a trot and canter for the first 600m and then we just sprinted up the straight,” Berry said.  
 
“Everything I wanted to see from her she provided and I’m very excited to see what comes from her.  
 
“She’s a no-nonsense sort of mare and I expected nothing less from speaking with Patty (Carbery) and Simon (Miller). I’m really looking forward to seeing her go on,” Berry added. 

“Bit of a belly” 

While Berry was overall positive about Amelia’s Jewel’s first run, he stressed that there is a lot of work to be done before the mare can reach the top level again.  
 
Speaking about his first impressions of Amelia’s Jewel, Berry said: “From all reports that I’ve been given in the past she’s not usually the best worker or the best trialer 
 
“She’s going to take improvement, she’s still got a belly on her, but pulled up really well in the wind. 
 
“It wasn’t the strongest hit out and we’ll know more after her second trial, how forward she is fitness wise. 
 
“She hadn’t done a lot of work at home before then, a couple of gallops.” 
 
Berry is not the only one to comment on Amelia’s Jewel’s fitness recently.  
 
There was speculation that the mare could return to racing last month. Annabel Neasham was quick to rubbish those rumours. The trainer said Amelia’s Jewel was “too fat” and that she would need more time to build her fitness.  

Tramway Stakes run incoming 

If Amelia's Jewel’s return to fitness goes as expected, she will make her return in the upcoming Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.  
 
At her best, Amelia's Jewel would be a strong contender to win this race. We haven’t seen the mare’s best in quite some time though, so don’t be surprised if the betting sites are a bit cautious with her odds to win.  
 
Amelia's Jewel finished 12th and 9th in her last two Group 1 races. She has not won a Group race since winning the Ladbrokes Stocks Stakes in September 2023.