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WA's pin-up mare Amelia's Jewel searching for redemption in The Quokka this Saturday.
Redemption.
That's what Amelia's Jewel and connections are seeking as the star mare lines up in The Quokka (1200m) this Saturday.
The four-year-old was the first horse selected for The Quokka, with TABtouch selecting her to run in their slot again, after teaming up with Simon Miller for a second-place finish in the inaugural running.
The daughter of Siyouni is following the same path as last year, heading into the $5 million feature second-up after a solid run in the Roma Cup on resumption.
While she was beaten by Oscar's Fortune in the Roma Cup, there was plenty to like about the four-year-old as she ran on strongly before appearing to peak on the run over the concluding stages.
The performance hinted that there was improvement to come from the mare, with the Racing and Sports ratings from the Roma Cup sitting just behind the rating produced by the winner of the T J Smith Stakes In Sydney on the same day.
Running to a Racing and Sports rating of 111 in the Roma Cup, she was only a few points off her best.
In last year's edition, Amelia's Jewel settled in last position and was still 7-1/4 lengths off the leader turning for home, before going under by a nose in a photo finish.
Since then, she's shown some versatility, sitting midfield or, as she did in the Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley, sitting close to the speed.
Will she have to get as far back as she did last year, or can Damian Lane – who rode Amelia's Jewel in her spring campaign – do as he did in the Stocks and take closer order?
We were unable to see the best of Amelia's Jewel at the back end of her eastern raid, but she's always hinted that she's better than her current R&S Rating suggests.
With the expected winning figure being similar to last year – about the 119 mark – Amelia's Jewel will have to do something she hasn't done previously.
That being said, the immeasurable factors that lie beneath the ratings suggest she's good enough to do so, and we almost saw it 12 months ago.
When first announced on January 11th, Amelia's Jewel was the $4 favourite with TABtouch, but following her run in the Roma Cup, she is currently a $3.10* chance.
She remains the favourite ahead of Overpass at $4.60 and Oscar's Fortune at $6*.
*Prices correct as of 10am, April 17.
About the Slot Holder: TABtouch
Amelia's Jewel will be racing for TABtouch in the 2024 renewal of The Quokka. WA's premier bookmaker reunites with the mare and her connections in 2024 after combining for a narrow defeat to Overpass in the inaugural running of The Quokka in 2023.
Rebranded to TABtouch in 2013, the organisation was established in 1961 as the WA TAB.
The wagering arm of RWWA offers their customers over 300 retail agencies across WA and online wagering through their desktop - TABtouch.com.au and mobile betting - TABtouch.mobi platforms.
Their online offering provides customers with features such as racing vision, race replays and a blackbook service as well as tips and race preview content via their TABtouch blog.
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