By Mandy Cottell – Racing & Sports
With the continuing rain in Sydney, Jamaea will join Count De Rupee in Queensland.
Stable bragging rights will be up for grabs when barn mates Count De Rupee and Jamaea face off in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
While Jamaea is also paid up for the Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) in Sydney, co-trainer Luke Price has confirmed she will join Count De Rupee on the float north on Thursday night as he looks to get both horses on a dry surface.
“Unfortunately, they will clash but they will be getting onto a good track which is the most important thing,” Price said.
“I can’t fault either of my horses. It’s going to come down to luck in running and I wouldn’t be surprised if they fight out the finish.
“They are both going extremely well, they’ve just got to travel up there now in one piece and they’re both pretty good travellers.”
The Victory Stakes has attracted an outstanding field led by brilliant sprinter Rothfire, classy local filly Startantes and last year’s Stradbroke Handicap runner-up Vega One.
While Price’s pair will face stiff competition, the trainer is confident both are up it.
Count De Rupee signalled he had regained his mojo when he rebounded from two unplaced runs to finish a gallant second to Kementari in the Hall Marks Stakes at Randwick on April 16 and provided he performs to expectations, he will press on to the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) a fortnight from Saturday.
“He has done that well that if we’re going to a Doomben 10,000, he needed to go around again,” Price said.
Jamaea has been freshened up after she followed a slashing third in the Light Fingers Stakes with unplaced efforts at her two subsequent autumn starts on heavy tracks.
She blew out the cobwebs with a recent barrier trial hit-out and will have the services of ace jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
“The only time we’ve seen her at her best (this campaign) was in the Light Fingers and she gets beaten half a length by two very good fillies in Fangirl and Espiona, and we know how good they are,” Price said
“She had a few little things not go her way that day so I’m really excited to get her back on a good track and a big, roomy track like Eagle Farm.
“She could really put herself out there for Stradbroke contention come Saturday.”