Miller’s Belgravia Stakes Gem

Posted on October 27, 2017October 27, 2017 | Posted by Julio Santarelli

Trainer Simon Miller is confident Ocean Jewel can continue to exert her dominance when she tackles the $100,000 Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday.

The quality three-year-old, an $80,000 purchase at the 2015 Inglis sales, has not put a foot wrong this campaign and is line to collect a winning hat trick.

Ocean Jewel flashed home to win first-up at Belmont in September and produced a similar run against a hot line up in the Bunbury 3YO Classic (1000m).

Miller, who won the Belgravia Stakes with Caipirinha (2016) and Miss Solis (2012), said Ocean Jewel had improved since her Bunbury victory two weeks ago.

“I think she has improved since Bunbury and it’s evident behind the scenes she has,” Miller told Tabradio.

“I had her fresh for Bunbury, just because she was having another go at the thousand, but she is a lot more relaxed and her work has picked up since.

“We are really happy with her.”

Ocean Jewel will face nine rivals in the Belgravia Stakes and will start from the second widest gate. Joe Azzopardi retains the ride.

“Where she gets to in running we’ll see what the tempo does, but the extra 200m should help her as well.

“If there is no tempo tomorrow (Saturday) and we are wide and pulling a little bit she can assume the forward roll.

“There should be good tempo and hopefully we can get a nice cruisy run early and be hitting the line late.”

Karnup trainer Adam Durrant says the Belgravia Stakes will be a good test for his unbeaten filly, Truly Belong.

The former New Zealand import has good claims after storming home from last to defeat Denim Pack (1000m) two weeks ago.

“It’s a very strong race and a really good bunch of three-year-olds,” Durrant said.

“This is a serious test to see where she is at, but she passed her first test the other day with flying colours.

“She doesn’t do anything to impress you in her work, but when she goes to the races she can reel off a good sectional.

“She hasn’t gone backwards and on looks has improved.”