Amelia Park is homing in on a feature double at Ascot this month with Buckets Ridge in the G2 WA Derby (2400m) on April 13 and star mare Amelia’s Jewel in the $5 million The Quokka (1200m) on April 20.
Buckets Ridge had won a Northam maiden (1300m) and Belmont Class 1 (1650m) in September and relished getting out to 2200m for the LR Melvista Stakes at Ascot on Friday. Comeback jockey Willie Pike made an early return from a heel injury and was at his brilliant best sending Bucket’s Ridge into overdrive for a virtuoso victory over A Lot Of Good Men (A Lot) and In Good Order (American Pharoah).
“I wanted to get my eye in before the big races,” Pike said. “He was always travelling and I probably would have ridden more patiently if I knew he was going to win so clearly. He won’t have any trouble with a step up to 2400m for the WA Derby.”
Buckets Ridge (Photo / Western Racepix) was bred by Amelia Park owner Peter Walsh in partnership with Brian Bradley and John Cipriani and is the 23rd black-type winner by Coolmore Stud sire Pride of Dubai (Street Cry).
He has firmed into $3.80 for the WA Derby behind the $3.50 pre-post favourite Zipaway (Playing God).
His dam Reveille (High Chaparral) was subsequently purchased by Orbis Bloodstock for $37,500 at an Inglis Digital Sale in 2022 and she foaled a filly by Ducimus in October. The Pride of Dubai – High Chaparral cross has an 82% strike-rate headed by She’s Fit (G3 WA Oaks).
Meanwhile, Amelia’s Jewel is on track to win a second G3 Roma Cup (1100m) at Ascot this Saturday, April 6. “I think she’s going better than last year,” trainer Simon Miller said. “Her work has been up to the mark, her fitness levels are real good and her recent trial was awesome.”
Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) will be resuming after an incident-packed interstate spring campaign following Group 2 wins at Flemington and Moonee Valley. A virus and severe interference contributed to subsequent losses in the G1 Toorak Hcp (1600m) at Caulfield and $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
Amelia’s Jewel is favoured to turn the tables on Overpass (Vancouver) second-up in The Quokka. She just failed to collar him last year and is the $3.80 market-leader over the Sydney raider who is on the second line at $5.
