A renewed Affair: Amelia’s Jewel connections eye Golden Slipper after impressive Flemington debut
An impressive Group 3 debut victory by Amelia’s Affair has her co-trainer Annabel Archibald talking up her prospects for the 2027 Golden Slipper.
Annabel Archibald is dreaming of the Golden Slipper with talented filly Amelia’s Affair, with the Geoff Walsh-bred and owned two-year-old an impressive debut winner of the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington.
Archibald and Walsh enjoyed great success with Group 1 winner Amelia’s Jewel and this emerging Home Affairs filly with a similar name looks destined down a similar path after a two-and-three-quarter-length win in the 1000-metre Melbourne Cup day opener.
Damian Lane successfully charted a path from the inside gate to about two-thirds across the Flemington straight, sitting on the pace before the filly kicked clear and had the race in her keeping with 100 metres to go. Royal Press finished second ahead of La La Lilly.
“I think the world’s probably her oyster because there’s a lot more improvement to come,” Archibald, who trains with her husband Rob, said.
“She’s just very, very talented. I love the way he just managed to get a few cheap sectionals, and she just skipped away from them.”
As for future goals, while she is eligible for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, Archibald said she may set those plans aside with loftier goals in the autumn.
“There’s obviously a lot of big two-year-old races. One big two-year-old race in March that we’d love to win as well,” she said in reference to the Golden Slipper.
Lane was also impressed by Amelia’s Affair’s turn of foot.
“She had some early toe, and I was able to use that to my advantage and get to exactly where I wanted,” he said.
“The professionalism to be able to maintain that at a controlled speed, and then sprint away, was pretty impressive.”
Amelia’s Affair had only had one trial heading into this race, finishing second at Randwick on October 23. She made a hit-and-run raid on Melbourne, and will immediately head back to Sydney for a spell before her next goals are determined.
Walsh bred Amelia’s Affair from Group-winning mare Dance Music, who he purchased in foal to Home Affairs for $500,000 in 2023. He then sold this filly for $700,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale but retained majority ownership.
Home Affairs already has a Golden Slipper winner in Guest House, with Amelia’s Affair his seventh stakes winner and first from his second crop.
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