A spring that hasn’t gone to script could still end on a high note for Jamaea when she gets back on a firm track in the Hot Danish Stakes at Rosehill.
The mare was scratched from the Manikato Stakes when the Moonee Valley surface was downgraded to heavy, resulting in co-trainerLuke Price changing course to a Group 3 sprint at Flemington last Saturday.
While the rain-affected surface again wasn’t to Jamaea’s liking, she turned in a creditable performance to finish midfield in what was her first start in over a month.
“The last nine or 12 months has been tough to find the right track but I’m adamant she is going well,” Luke Price said.
“She just needs everything to align, and it could be Saturday.
“I was really happy with her the other day in Melbourne, she just got a bit lost up the straight.
“It was never in the original plan and it was an unsuitable track but we needed to go around, it had been a while.”
As he has been all preparation, Price has remained flexible with his options for Jamaea as he tries to chase the best of the weather.
While the mare hasn’t raced on a seven-day back-up before, she has thrived since her Flemington run, convincing Price to press on to Saturday’s Group 2 race on the proviso that she continues to do well.
“It is something I haven’t done before, travelled them from one state to another on a back-up,” Price said.
“But she is very tough and she has really thrived.
“The final decision won’t be made until race morning but we’re going to be there if it all looks well.”
The Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) has attracted a quality field of 12, headlined by last year’s winner Electric Girl who has been knocking on the door for another win having finished runner-up in both the Sheraco Stakes and The Invitation this spring.
J J Atkins winner Sheeza Belter is the lone filly to accept and will strip fitter for her first-up effort in The Invitation.
Jamaea holds a nomination for the Winterbottom Stakes in Perth and while a final call on a trip west is yet to be made, Price says it is unlikely.
“We can discuss that after Saturday, but it will be her fifth run so I’d be more inclined to pull up stumps,” he said.