Reigning champion Jameka will not be defending her title in the Caulfield Cup 2017 with news the Ciaron Maher-trained mare is out of action for the rest of the year.
Reigning Caulfield Cup winner Jameka is out of action for the remainder of 2017. Photo: Steve Hart.
The $4.8 million earning daughter of Myboycharlie is still very unwell after suffering from a horrid bout of travel sickness and won’t be seen back at the track until at least next autumn.
“She was very sick,” Maher told Racing Victoria on Friday.
“She’s recovering and improving every day but she’ll need an extended break to recover from it.”
The four-year-old’s latest run was in late March at Rosehill when she posted a third elite level success flying home by six and a half lengths in the Group 1 The BMW (2400m).
A seemingly routine trip back home to Melbourne from Sydney post her The BMW success saw things go badly amiss with Jameka getting fluid on her lungs, a condition that was nearly life-ending according to Maher.
“Travel sickness is when they get fluid on the lungs and they have to get fluid out and there is not a lot of blood flow to the lungs and then it can get bacteria in there and it can be quite hard to manage,” the Caulfield-based horseman explained.
“I’ve never had a horse with travel sickness before and it’s very unfortunate that Jameka has to be the first one.
“She’s been very consistent and improved every year so it’ll be a big shame not to have her racing in the spring but the horse’s health and well-being is the first thing you worry about.”
Jameka first hit the big time taking out the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) in November of 2015 as a three-year-old.
Her other Group 1 success between that and The BMW was of course in last year’s $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Becoming just the second Caulfield Cup winning mare since Ethereal (2001) along with Southern Speed (2011), Jameka beat home Scottish by three lengths in the mile and a half classic.
Maher now harbours serious concerns about whether Jameka will ever be the same or be able to return to her former devastating form even if she does make it back to the track.
“It depends. There can be scarring to lungs and things like that but it’s a bit early to tell if or to what extent if there is any on-going issues because of that,” he said.
With last year’s winner out of action the latest all-in Caulfield Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au are currently led by young Kiwi stayer Gingernuts ($15).
The Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards-trained Iffraaj three-year-old won the Group 1 NZ Derby (2400m) across the Tasman in early March.
On debut down under he was the impressive winner of the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) run on a Heavy (10) track before he could only manage to cross fifth to the NZ Derby third placegetter Jon Snow who turned the tables to win the Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) on April 1.
Check out the latest futures Caulfield Cup 2017 betting markets online now at Ladbrokes.com.au to place your early spring selections at the best prices.
