A wide barrier over the 1400m course at Flemington is one that is usually frowned upon.
But it was no concern for Perth mare Amelia's Jewel at her first run on the eastern seaboard when she took out the Group 2 Let's Elope Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.
Jockey Damian Lane took his medicine early aboard the $1.95 favourite and had just four horses behind Amelia's Jewel in the early stages.
Lane eased Amelia's Jewel into clear air soon after straightening where she unleased a powerful finishing burst to claim Life Lessons ($31) to win by a length with El Patroness ($101) a half-length away third.
Trainer Simon Miller, a former Melburnian, said there was a lot of improvement to come from Amelia's Jewel following her victory in mares' company on Saturday.
Miller is planning a start in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 29, after which a decision will be made in which the mare will head.
Options include a trip to Sydney for The Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill or remain in Melbourne for the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield and the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
"The exciting thing from our point of view is she's not screwed down yet so we've got plenty of wiggle room to go," Miller said.
"This is just a nice starting point for her and when he (Lane) hadn't moved on straightening I was like 'this is an easy watch'.
"Without being arrogant, he hadn't gone full throttle, so I thought 'at least we're going to be in the finish'."
Miller is staying at Flemington after usually stabling his horses at Caulfield on previous trips.
"Lee Jordon and Bec (Caesar) have helped us out heaps and Nick Ryan, he's putting up with us," Miller said.
"I'm so proud of her, proud of my staff, they do an amazing job."
Lane said Amelia's Jewel cruised up to opposition, but then floated once she hit the front.
"I dead-set felt like I was in second gear when I got to Life Lessons," Lane said.
"And then we got a half-length in front and she just went to put the cue in the rack, so she's still I daresay got more in the tank.
"The good horses do that. She's obviously got a great turn of foot, she pulls up fairly fine, both times I've ridden her, trial and race day, so that to me says she's doing it very easily.
"She's an exciting horse."
"Too good! Too good!"
